Search

Cancer and its associated therapies can severely impact the physical and psychosocial functioning of adolescent and young adults (AYAs), both during treatment and well into survivorship. Physical activity during and after cancer treatment could be beneficial to the AYA population, although this cohort has received little scientific attention. A systematic search of the literature was conducted to investigate current exercise interventions in AYA-specific populations. Studies were eligible for inclusion if >50% of the study population was aged between 15 and 25 years and the study included a physical activity intervention during or after cancer treatment. Studies were critically appraised using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Six articles were identified as meeting the criteria, of which 2 were nonrandomized controlled studies and 4 were pilot studies, comprising a total of 135 AYA participants. The quality of studies was variable across all assessed domains. Direct comparison on intervention outcomes was not possible due to the heterogeneity of the studies; however, trends emerged on the feasibility, acceptability, and potential positive impact of physical activity in this cohort. This review highlights the lack of high-quality studies aimed to improve physical and psychosocial functioning in AYA patients across the cancer continuum. Physical activity interventions in this cohort appear to be feasible; however, larger randomized controlled trials are warranted to investigate the direct impact of interventions on health outcomes in this cohort.

Understanding the stress/strain relationship between exercise and bone is critical to understanding the potential benefit of exercise in preventing postmenopausal bone loss. This study examined the effect of a 2-year exercise intervention and calcium supplementation (600 mg) on bone mineral density (BMD) in 126 postmenopausal women (mean age, 60 +/- 5 years). Assignment was by block randomization to one of three groups: strength (S), fitness (F), or nonexercise control (C). The two exercise groups completed three sets of the same nine exercises, three times a week. The S group increased the loading, while the F group had additional stationary bicycle riding with minimal increase in loading. Retention at 2 years was 71% (59% in the S group, 69% in the F group, and 83% in the C group), while the exercise compliance did not differ between the exercise groups (S group, 74 +/- 13%; F group, 77 +/- 14%). BMD was measured at the hip, lumbar spine, and forearm sites every 6 months using a Hologic 4500. Whole body BMD also was measured every 6 months on a Hologic 2000. There was no difference between the groups at the forearm, lumbar spine, or whole body sites. There was a significant effect of the strength program at the total (0.9 +/- 2.6%; p < 0.05) and intertrochanter hip site (1.1 +/- 3.0%; p < 0.01). There was a significant time and group interaction (p < 0.05) at the intertrochanter site by repeated measures. This study shows the effectiveness of a progressive strength program in increasing bone density at the clinically important hip site. We concluded that a strength program could be recommended as an adjunct lifestyle approach to osteoporosis treatment or used in combination with other therapies.