Nationwide Industry-Led Community Exercise Program for Men With Locally Advanced, Relapsed, or Metastatic Prostate Cancer on Androgen-Deprivation Therapy

Abstract

PURPOSE: Androgen‐deprivation therapy in patients with prostate cancer (PCa) is associated with considerable side effects and secondary comorbidities such as overweight/obesity and cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of an industry‐led, treatment‐integrated, community‐based exercise program on outcomes of body weight, cardiovascular health, and physical function. PATIENTS AND METHODS: PCa patients with locally advanced, relapsed, or metastatic disease receiving leuprorelin acetate were enrolled across multiple sites in Australia and assigned supervised group exercise undertaken weekly or biweekly (ie, 16 exercise sessions in total) for 10‐18 weeks, consisting of aerobic and resistance training performed at moderate‐to‐vigorous intensity. RESULTS: Between 2014 and 2020, 760 participants completed the baseline and follow‐up assessment. Participants were age 48‐94 years, and most were either overweight (42.1%) or obese (38.1%). Program compliance was high, with 90% of participants completing all 16 exercise sessions. There was a small but significant reduction in waist circumference (‐0.9 cm; 95% CI [‐1.2 to ‐0.5]; P < .001) and no change in weight or body mass index. Systolic (‐3.7 mmHg; 95% CI [‐4.8 to ‐2.6]; P < .001) and diastolic (‐1.7 mmHg; 95% CI [‐2.3 to ‐1.0]; P < .001) blood pressure were significantly lower after the program. Furthermore, significant improvements were seen in cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle strength (P < .001). For most of the investigated outcomes, participants with poorer initial measures had the greatest benefit from participating in the program. CONCLUSION: The community exercise program was feasible and effective in preventing weight gain, reducing blood pressure, and improving physical function in patients with PCa on androgen‐deprivation therapy.