By Gabe Sanders PhD, NSCA-CSCS
In the fight against cancer, particularly for aging adults, muscular health and strength is an often-overlooked health factor. Recent studies have revealed a significant link between resistance training, muscle strength, and improved survival rates in elderly cancer patients. This discovery opens new possibilities in patient care and offers hope for better outcomes.
While research is clear that resistance training can significantly improve muscle strength in elderly cancer patients, the exact resistance training guidelines for optimal benefits is somewhat of an inexact science. Interestingly, the strength improvements do not necessarily come with increased muscle size (hypertrophy), but rather, a more profound intrinsic strength that benefits the muscle cells.
Resistance training is not only effective but also safe, as no adverse events were reported among the participants, who mainly included individuals in their 70s battling advanced colorectal, prostate, or breast cancer.
Muscle strength and overall survival in older patients
One of the most striking findings from recent research is the link between muscle strength and overall survival in older patients undergoing palliative chemotherapy for advanced cancer. It turns out that higher muscle strength at the onset of chemotherapy is significantly correlated with better survival rates. This revelation is pivotal, as it suggests that muscle strength could potentially be a criterion for making treatment decisions in older cancer patients. The key is to begin a resistance training regimen now, do not wait!
Muscular strength is crucial for cancer patients
Developing muscular strength is crucial for cancer patients, particularly because of a condition called cancer cachexia. This condition leads to ongoing loss of muscle strength and mass, a problem often worsened by aging and the harsh effects of cancer treatments. Moreover, cachexia, coupled with the aging process and invasive treatments, can lead to cancer-related fatigue. Interestingly, the impact of muscle mass and strength on fatigue seems to differ between genders.
In men, having more muscle mass and strength is linked to lower levels of fatigue, suggesting that muscle-focused interventions could help reduce cancer-related fatigue. However, this link isn't as clear in women, highlighting the need for a more personalized approach when addressing cancer-related fatigue in female cancer patients. The complexity of cachexia underscores the importance of carefully designed resistance training programs, which should progressively increase in intensity and be supervised by medical professionals.
Implications for Clinical Practice
The growing evidence emphasizes the importance of assessing muscle strength in clinical settings, particularly for older patients with advanced cancers. Such assessments can help healthcare providers more accurately predict survival chances and customize treatment plans. Additionally, integrating resistance training into elderly cancer patients' care routines is vital, not only for their physical health but potentially for improving their survival chances.
In summary, recent research on muscular health and strength highlights a new direction in cancer care, focusing on resistance training to enhance muscle strength and, consequently, improve cancer treatment outcomes. This approach to cancer care extends beyond traditional methods, incorporating physical exercise as a key component in the fight against cancer.
Article’s Sources
Lee, Junghoon. “The effects of resistance training on muscular strength and hypertrophy in elderly cancer patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.” Journal of Sport and Health Science 11.2 (2022): 194-201.
Versteeg, Kathelijn Sophie, et al. “Higher muscle strength is associated with prolonged survival in older patients with advanced cancer.” The Oncologist 23.5 (2018): 580-585.
Kilgour, Robert D., et al. “Cancer-related fatigue: the impact of skeletal muscle mass and strength in patients with advanced cancer.” Journal of cachexia, sarcopenia and muscle 1 (2010): 177-185.
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