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Health-related physical fitness assessment in a community-based cancer rehabilitation setting

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Abstract

Purpose

Assessment of physical fitness is important in order to set goals, appropriately prescribe exercise, and monitor change over time. This study aimed to determine the utility of a standardized physical fitness assessment for use in cancer-specific, community-based exercise programs.

Methods

Tests anticipated to be feasible and suitable for a community setting and a wide range of ages and physical function were chosen to measure body composition, aerobic fitness, strength, flexibility, and balance. Cancer Exercise Trainers/Specialists at cancer-specific, community-based exercise programs assessed new clients (n = 60) at enrollment, designed individualized exercise programs, and then performed a re-assessment 3–6 months later (n = 34).

Results

Resting heart rate, blood pressure, body mass index, waist circumference, handgrip strength, chair stands, sit-and-reach, back scratch, single-leg standing, and timed up-and-go tests were considered suitable and feasible tests/measures, as they were performed in most (≥88 %) participants. The ability to capture change was also noted for resting blood pressure (−7/−5 mmHg, p = 0.02), chair stands (+4, p < 0.01), handgrip strength (+2 kg, p < 0.01), and sit-and-reach (+3 cm, p = 0.03). While the submaximal treadmill test captured a meaningful improvement in aerobic fitness (+62 s, p = 0.17), it was not completed in 33 % of participants. Change in mobility, using the timed up-and-go was nominal and was not performed in 27 %.

Conclusion

Submaximal treadmill testing, handgrip dynamometry, chair stands, and sit-and-reach tests were feasible, suitable, and provided meaningful physical fitness information in a cancer-specific, community-based, exercise program setting. However, a shorter treadmill protocol and more sensitive balance and upper body flexibility tests should be investigated.

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Acknowledgments

Amy Kirkham and Sarah Neil-Sztramko are supported by Canada Graduate Scholarship Doctoral Awards from the Canadian Institute of Health Research.

Conflict of interest

Joanne Morgan and Sara Hodson are the respective owners of Back on Track Fitness and Live Well Exercise Clinic, which were the two centers included in this study. They were involved in study design and data collection and reviewed the manuscript but were not involved in data analysis, interpretation, or reporting of results.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rehabilitation Sciences, University of British Columbia, 212-2177 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6T 1Z3

    Amy A. Kirkham & Kristin L. Campbell

  2. School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, 212-2177 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6T 1Z3

    Sarah E. Neil-Sztramko & Kristin L. Campbell

  3. Back on Track Fitness, 731 W 16th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V5Z 1S8

    Joanne Morgan & Sarah Weller

  4. Live Well Exercise Clinic, 306-1676 Martin Drive, White Rock, BC, Canada, V4A 6E7

    Sara Hodson & Tasha McRae

  5. Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 212-2177 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6T 1Z3

    Kristin L. Campbell

Authors
  1. Amy A. Kirkham
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  2. Sarah E. Neil-Sztramko
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  3. Joanne Morgan
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  4. Sara Hodson
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  5. Sarah Weller
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  6. Tasha McRae
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  7. Kristin L. Campbell
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Correspondence to Kristin L. Campbell.

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Kirkham, A.A., Neil-Sztramko, S.E., Morgan, J. et al. Health-related physical fitness assessment in a community-based cancer rehabilitation setting. Support Care Cancer 23, 2525–2533 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-014-2599-z

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