Associations between aerobic exercise levels and physical and mental health outcomes in men with bone metastatic prostate cancer: a cross-sectional investigation

Authors

Eva Zopf, Edith Cowan University, German Sport University Cologne
Robert U. Newton, Edith Cowan University, University of Queensland
Dennis R. Taaffe, Edith Cowan Universit, University of WollongongFollow
Nigel Spry, Edith Cowan University, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, University of Western Australia
Prue Cormie, Australian Catholic University
David Joseph, Edith Cowan University, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, University of Western Australia
Suzanne K. Chambers, Edith Cowan University, University of Queensland, Griffith University, Cancer Council Queensland, Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia
Freerk T. Baumann, German Sport University Cologne
Wilhelm Bloch, German Sport University Cologne
Daniel A. Galvao, Edith Cowan University

RIS ID

114272

Publication Details

Zopf, E. m., Newton, R. U., Taaffe, D. R., Spry, N., Cormie, P., Joseph, D., Chambers, S. K., Baumann, F. T., Bloch, W. & Galvão, D. A. (2016). Associations between aerobic exercise levels and physical and mental health outcomes in men with bone metastatic prostate cancer: a cross-sectional investigation. European Journal of Cancer Care, Online First 1-7.

Abstract

Cancer patients with bone metastases have previously been excluded from participation in physical activity programmes due to concerns of skeletal fractures. Our aim was to provide initial information on the association between physical activity levels and physical and mental health outcomes in prostate cancer patients with bone metastases. Between 2012 and 2015, 55 prostate cancer patients (mean age 69.7 ± 8.3; BMI 28.6 ± 4.0) with bone metastases (58.2% >2 regions affected) undertook assessments for self-reported physical activity, physical and mental health outcomes (SF-36), objective physical performance measures and body composition by DXA. Sixteen men (29%) met the current aerobic exercise guidelines for cancer survivors, while 39 (71%) reported lower aerobic exercise levels. Men not meeting aerobic exercise guidelines had lower physical functioning (p = .004), role functioning (physical and emotional) (p < .05), general health scores (p = .014) as well all lower measures of physical performance (p < .05). Lower levels of aerobic exercise are associated with reduced physical and mental health outcomes in prostate cancer patients with bone metastases. While previous research has focused primarily in those with non-metastatic disease, our initial results suggest that higher levels of aerobic exercise may preserve physical and mental health outcomes in prostate cancer patients with bone metastases.