Preoperative HIIT in Elderly Cancer Patients

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This randomized control trial will determine the effect of short term high intensity interval training (HIIT) on physical fitness, in an elderly patient group with active cancer, prior to surgical resection. Half of the recruited patients will act as a control group and the other half will undergo a HIIT protocol.

Detailed Description
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High intensity interval training (HIIT) has been shown to achieve similar and in some studies better improvements in aerobic fitness versus more traditional endurance based exercise over the same time period. HIIT has also been shown to produce these improvements over a shorter timescale than other methods, in the region of 2-6 weeks. One widely reported barrier to exercise is time availability, HIIT training may be a favorable option to increase fitness as the total time spent exercising is significantly less than other methods. HIIT induces improvements in cardiovascular parameters in healthy elderly subjects, investigators aim to investigate whether these improvements can be matched in patients with cancer and further elucidate the mechanisms behind improvements seen with this type of training.

Official Title
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A Randomised Control Trial to Assess Efficacy of Preoperative High Intensity Interval Training in Elderly Patients Scheduled for Oncological Abdominal Surgery

Conditions
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Cancer

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: High intensity interval training (HIIT)


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Aged over 65 years (no upper age limit). Histologically proven, radiologically or direct visualisation leading to high clinical suspicion of cancer. Sufficient mobility to be able to exercise on a static exercise bike. Ability to give informed consent. Ability to travel to RDH to complete the HIIT sessions (may also rely upon dependents/relatives to provide transport). Exclusion Criteria: Adjuvant systemic chemotherapy / radiotherapy treatment for this cancer. Participants with a significant past medical history of: Myocardial infarction (within last 6 months) Unstable Angina Heart failure (NYHA class III/IV) Uncontrolled Hypertension (BP>160/100) Previous stroke/TIA Severe respiratory disease inc. known pulmonary hypertension(>25 mmHg), Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second <1.5l. Brittle asthma / exercise induced asthma Known cerebral aneurysm. Inclusion in a recent (within 3 months) study which included any form of exercise, taking a drug or ionising radiation.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 65 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| No Intervention: Control<br>Control: This group of patients will receive 'current best practice' as per UK NHS recommendations for their specific cancer management prior to surgery. | |
| Experimental: High intensity interval training<br>Exercise: Participants in this group will attend 3-4 times per week to complete HIIT training during the period from diagnosis to surgery. High intensity interval training (HIIT) | Other: High intensity interval training (HIIT)<br>* Preoperative HIIT protocol.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| VO2AT (VO2 at anaerobic threshold) | Change in anaerobic threshold seen during maximal exercise test (pre and post intervention). | Baseline and 4 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| VO2peak | Change in peak volume of oxygen consumption during maximal exercise test (pre and post intervention). | Baseline and 4 weeks | 
| Subjective acceptability of HIIT preoperatively (via questionnaire) | Assessment of whether our HIIT protocol is acceptable to patients in this age group. | After 4 weeks of HIIT. | 
| Muscle protein synthesis rate changes with HIIT. | Assessment of the effect HIIT has on rate of muscle protein synthesis in this group. | Baseline and 4 weeks. | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Abdominal Cavity, Aged