High-intensity interval training produces a significant improvement in fitness in less than 31 days before surgery for urological cancer: a randomised control trial

Blackwell, J. E. M.; Doleman, B.; Boereboom, C. L; Morton, A.; Williams, S.; Atherton, P.; Smith, K.; Williams, J. P.; Phillips, B. E.; Lund, J. N.

Abstract

Objectives

To assess the efficacy of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) for improving cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in patients awaiting resection for urological malignancy within four weeks.

Subjects/patients and methods

A randomised control trial of consecutive patients aged (>65 years) scheduled for major urological surgery in a large secondary referral centre in a UK hospital. The primary outcome is change in anaerobic threshold (VO2AT) following HIIT vs. standard care.
Results

Forty patients were recruited (mean age 72 years, male (39): female (1)) with 34 completing the protocol. Intention to treat analysis showed significant improvements in anaerobic threshold (VO2AT; mean difference (MD) 2.26 ml/kg/min (95% CI 1.25–3.26)) following HIIT. Blood pressure (BP) also significantly reduced in following: HIIT (SBP: −8.2 mmHg (95% CI −16.09 to −0.29) and DBP: −6.47 mmHg (95% CI −12.56 to −0.38)). No reportable adverse safety events occurred during HIIT and all participants achieved >85% predicted maximum heart rate during sessions, with protocol adherence of 84%.

Conclusions

HIIT can improve CRF and cardiovascular health, representing clinically meaningful and achievable pre-operative improvements. Larger randomised trials are required to investigate the efficacy of prehabilitation HIIT upon different cancer types, post-operative complications, socio-economic impact and long-term survival.

Citation

Blackwell, J. E. M., Doleman, B., Boereboom, C. L., Morton, A., Williams, S., Atherton, P., Smith, K., Williams, J. P., Phillips, B. E., & Lund, J. N. (2020). High-intensity interval training produces a significant improvement in fitness in less than 31 days before surgery for urological cancer: a randomised control trial. Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases, 23, 696–704. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41391-020-0219-1

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 19, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Mar 10, 2020
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Deposit Date: Feb 17, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 12, 2020
• Journal: Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases
• Print ISSN: 1365-7852
• Electronic ISSN: 1476-5608
• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 23
• Pages: 696–704
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41391-020-0219-1
• Keywords: Urology; Cancer Research; Oncology
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/3977881
• Publisher URL: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41391-020-0219-1
• Additional Information: Received: 17 December 2019; Revised: 11 February 2020; Accepted: 19 February 2020; First Online: 10 March 2020; : ; : The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.