Objectives To examine the association between muscle strength and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) with all-cause and cancer-specific mortality in patients diagnosed with cancer, and whether these associations are affected by type and/or stage of cancer. Method A systematic review with meta-analysis was carried out. Five bibliographic databases were searched to August 2023. Results Forty-two studies were included (n=46 694). Overall, cancer patients with high muscle strength or CRF levels (when dichotomised as high vs low) had a significant reduction in risk of all-cause mortality by 31–46% compared with those with low physical fitness levels. Similarly, a significant 11% reduction was found for change per unit increments in muscle strength. In addition, muscle strength and CRF were associated with an 8–46% reduced risk of all-cause mortality in patients with advanced cancer stages, and a 19–41% reduced risk of all-cause mortality was observed in lung and digestive cancers. Lastly, unit increments in CRF were associated with a significant 18% reduced risk of cancer-specific mortality. Conclusion High muscle strength and CRF were significantly associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality. In addition, increases in CRF were associated with a reduced risk of cancer-specific mortality. These fitness components were especially predictive in patients with advanced cancer stages as well as in lung and digestive cancers. This highlights the importance of assessing fitness measures for predicting mortality in cancer patients. Given these findings, tailored exercise prescriptions to improve muscle strength and CRF in patients with cancer may contribute to reducing cancer-related mortality.

Interlimb asymmetries have been recently investigated in athletic populations. However, the effects of training interventions on interlimb asymmetries have been scarcely examined. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effects of training interventions on changes in interlimb asymmetries from pre- to post-training. Furthermore, to examine the effects of training programs on intervention groups compared with control groups. A database search was completed (MEDLINE, CINAHL, and SPORTDiscus). Eight studies were then included in the meta-analysis. Results showed small reductions in interlimb asymmetries in single-leg broad jump (SLBJ) and change of direction (COD) speed from pre- to post-training interventions, whereas moderate effects were found in single-leg countermovement jump (SLCMJ) and SL lateral jump. When comparing the training interventions with the control groups, results showed small effects in favor of the training groups for reducing interlimb asymmetries in SLBJ and large effects in SLCMJ and COD speed. Thus, training interventions can evoke small to moderate reductions in interlimb asymmetries from pre- to post-training programs. Strength training performed unilaterally or bilaterally may elicit these reductions. Furthermore, training interventions showed larger effects compared with the control groups in reducing interlimb asymmetries. However, further research is needed.

Background: Despite advances in breast cancer treatment, recurrence remains common and contributes to higher mortality risk. Among the potential mechanisms, inflammation plays a key role in recurrence by promoting tumor progression. Exercise provides a wide array of health benefits and may reduce inflammation, potentially reducing mortality risk. However, the effects of exercise, including mode (ie, resistance training [RT], aerobic training [AT], and combined RT and AT) and program duration, on inflammatory biomarkers in breast cancer survivors remain to be elucidated. Methods: A systematic search was undertaken in PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, SPORTDiscus, and CENTRAL in August 2024. Randomized controlled trials examining the effects of exercise on interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-8, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were included. A random-effects meta-analysis was undertaken to quantify the magnitude of change. Results: Twenty-two studies were included (n = 968). Exercise induced small to large statistically significant reductions in IL-6 (standardized mean difference [SMD] = −0.85; 95% CI = −1.68 to −0.02; P = .05) and TNF-α (SMD = −0.40; 95% CI = −0.81 to 0.01; P = .05) and a trend for a decrease in CRP. When stratifying by exercise mode, trends toward reduction in IL-6 and TNF-α were observed for combined exercise, while changes were not generally affected by exercise program duration. Conclusion: Exercise, especially combined RT and AT, can reduce pro-inflammatory biomarkers, and may be a suitable strategy to reduce inflammation in breast cancer survivors. However, further research is needed to investigate the effects of exercise mode and program duration on markers of inflammation in this survivor group.

Bettariga, F, Maestroni, L, Martorelli, L, Turner, A, and Bishop, C. The effects of a 6-week unilateral strength and ballistic jump training program on the force-velocity profiles of sprinting. J Strength Cond Res 37(7): 1390–1396, 2023—The aims of this study were (a) to investigate the effects of a unilateral training program, compared with a control group, on a force-velocity (F-V) profile in soccer players and (b) to explore such effects on linear speed. Twenty-four soccer players, randomly assigned to a 6-week unilateral strength and ballistic jump training (UNI) (n = 12) or a control group (CON) (n = 12), performed 30-meter linear sprint test. Findings showed small-to-moderate improvements (p < 0.05) in linear speed time (g = 0.66–0.81) and in most F-V variables: maximal running velocity (V0) (g = 0.81), maximal power output (Pmax) (g = 0.49), maximal ratio of force (RFmax) (g = 0.55), optimal velocity (Vopt) (g = 0.83), and maximal speed (g = 0.84) from pre- to post-intervention in the UNI group, whereas no meaningful changes were found in the CON group. The between-group comparison indicated small to large significant changes in V0 (g = 0.95), RFmax (g = 0.48), Vopt (g = 0.95), maximal speed (g = 0.98), and linear speed time performance (g = 0.42–1.02), with the exception of the 0–5 meter distance, in favor of the UNI group. Thus, a unilateral strength and ballistic jump training program can be used to improve the F-V profile and linear speed performance of amateur soccer players.