| Physical inactivity and poor body composition (i.e. obesity and/or increased body fat) have been associated with poorer survival outcomes following a diagnosis of colorectal cancer. In general, these outcomes have been shown to be negatively impacted by cancer treatments, whereas exercise interventions have been shown to improve these outcomes in other cancer survivor groups. However, very little data is available specifically from colorectal cancer survivors. Therefore the purpose of this dissertation was to 1) examine the impact of chemotherapy treatments on the health-related fitness of colon cancer patients, and 2) to determine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a supervised exercise-training program for colorectal cancer survivors. The first study was an observational study of 15 colon cancer survivors. Participants completed a comprehensive fitness assessment and questionnaire before and after the completion of chemotherapy treatments. From pre to post-chemotherapy, participants' experienced a substantial increase in body fat (+5.5 kg), a clinically important increase in fatigue, muscular strength improved, and there was little to no change in the remaining components of health-related fitness or patient reported outcomes. The second study was a time-series study of 29 colorectal cancer survivors who completed a 12-week combined aerobic and resistance training program. Adherence to the exercise training program was high (mean = 90%) and loss to follow-up was low (<10%). Participant evaluation of the exercise intervention was positive and the testing burden was rated low. Cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, flexibility, some measured aspects of body composition, physical functioning, colorectal cancer-specific quality of life, fatigue, physical well being, vitality, general health, mental health, self-esteem, and depression were significantly improved after 12-weeks of training. In conclusion, some aspects of health related fitness and patient reported outcomes negatively changed over the course of chemotherapy in individuals diagnosed with colon cancer, while supervised exercise training was found to be feasible and improved many of the components of health-related fitness and a number of patient reported outcomes in colorectal cancer survivors who had completed treatment. Exercise interventions that improve health-related fitness in colorectal cancer survivors after treatment may have important implications for fitness, quality of life, and survivorship. |
