TY - JOUR

T1 - Maximum physical capacity testing in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy

T2 - qualitative findings from an exercise program

AU - Knutsen, L.

AU - Quist, M

AU - Midtgaard, J

AU - Rorth, M

AU - Adamsen, L

PY - 2006/12

Y1 - 2006/12

N2 - BACKGROUND: Over the past few years there has been a growing interest in the field of physical exercise in rehabilitation of cancer patients, leading to requirements for objective maximum physical capacity measurement (maximum oxygen uptake (VO(2max)) and one-repetition maximum (1RM)) to determine dose-response levels in different cancer diagnoses.AIM: To explore the patients' experiences of maximum physical capacity testing while concurrently undergoing chemotherapy and participating in a 6-week, 9 h weekly multidimensional exercise program.DESIGN AND METHOD: Prospective, exploratory study using semi-structured qualitative interviews conducted prior to and at termination of the program. The study included 100 patients (18-65 years, median 42 years) with or without residual disease and with mixed diagnoses.RESULTS: Following the intervention, cancer patients felt significantly safer in performing maximum physical capacity tests as these motivated them through self-perceived competitiveness and set a standard that served to encourage peak performance.CONCLUSION: The positive attitudes in this sample towards maximum physical capacity open the possibility of introducing physical testing early in the treatment process. However, the patients were self-referred and thus highly motivated and as such are not necessarily representative of the whole population of cancer patients treated with chemotherapy.

AB - BACKGROUND: Over the past few years there has been a growing interest in the field of physical exercise in rehabilitation of cancer patients, leading to requirements for objective maximum physical capacity measurement (maximum oxygen uptake (VO(2max)) and one-repetition maximum (1RM)) to determine dose-response levels in different cancer diagnoses.AIM: To explore the patients' experiences of maximum physical capacity testing while concurrently undergoing chemotherapy and participating in a 6-week, 9 h weekly multidimensional exercise program.DESIGN AND METHOD: Prospective, exploratory study using semi-structured qualitative interviews conducted prior to and at termination of the program. The study included 100 patients (18-65 years, median 42 years) with or without residual disease and with mixed diagnoses.RESULTS: Following the intervention, cancer patients felt significantly safer in performing maximum physical capacity tests as these motivated them through self-perceived competitiveness and set a standard that served to encourage peak performance.CONCLUSION: The positive attitudes in this sample towards maximum physical capacity open the possibility of introducing physical testing early in the treatment process. However, the patients were self-referred and thus highly motivated and as such are not necessarily representative of the whole population of cancer patients treated with chemotherapy.

KW - Adolescent

KW - Adult

KW - Aged

KW - Antineoplastic Agents

KW - Exercise

KW - Exercise Tolerance

KW - Female

KW - Humans

KW - Male

KW - Middle Aged

KW - Motivation

KW - Muscle Strength

KW - Neoplasms

KW - Oxygen Consumption

KW - Prospective Studies

KW - Journal Article

KW - Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

U2 - 10.1111/j.1600-0838.2005.00515.x

DO - 10.1111/j.1600-0838.2005.00515.x

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 17121642

VL - 16

SP - 403

EP - 411

JO - Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports

JF - Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports

SN - 0905-7188

IS - 6

ER -