Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of session rating of perceived exertion (RPE) to measure effort during different types of resistance training.Method: Fifteen male subjects (age 26.7 ± 4.3 years) performed 3 protocols. All protocols consisted of same 5 exercises but with different intensities, rest periods, and numbers of repetitions. One-repetition maximum (1-RM) was defined as the maximal amount of weight that an individual could lift 1 time without support. The strength protocol included 3 sets of 5 repetitions at 90% of 1-RM with 3 minutes rest between. The hypertrophy session included 3 sets of 10 repetitions at 70% with 1 minute of rest, and the power session included 3 sets of 5 repetitions at 50% with 3 minutes of rest. Session RPE is a modification of the standard RPE scale. Session and standard RPE were measured after the completion of each set and 30 minutes postexercise, respectively.Results: Results showed a difference between both the 2 RPE values of the strength and hypertrophy protocols (P ≤ .05) but no difference between mean and session RPE values for the power protocol. During the familiarization session, session RPE was measured at 5-minute intervals for 30 minutes postexercise. There was a significant difference (P ≤ .05) between the mean RPE values at the fifth and tenth minutes postexercise when compared with 30 minutes postexercise. All other session RPE values showed no significant difference.Conclusion: The session RPE method appears to be effective in monitoring different types of resistance training, and session RPE after 30 minutes was a better indicator of the overall resistance sessions than average RPE.

Background: To systematically review and analyse the associations between fat and muscle mass measures with overall survival in men with prostate cancer. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in CINAHL, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, PubMed, and Web of Science databases from inception to December 2020, while abstracts from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA), and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) conferences were searched from 2014 to 2020. Eligible articles examined the association of body composition measures, such as fat mass (e.g., fat mass, visceral adipose tissue (VAT), subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), and VAT/SAT) and muscle mass measures, with overall survival in prostate cancer patients at any treatment stage. The primary endpoint was overall survival. Random-effect meta-analysis was conducted for studies reporting multivariable or univariable analysis assessing the associations of fat mass measures (i.e., fat mass, VAT, SAT, VAT/SAT) and muscle mass measures with overall survival. Results: Sixteen cohort studies that comprised 4807 men with prostate cancer were included. Total adiposity (hazard ratio (HR) 0.98, 95% CI: 0.75–1.28, p = 0.888) and VAT (HR 1.03, 95% CI: 0.74–1.43, p = 0.873) were not significantly associated with overall survival, while higher subcutaneous adipose tissue levels were associated with higher survival (HR 0.68, 95% CI: 0.54–0.84, p = 0.001). Greater mortality risk was found in patients with localised (HR 1.91, 95% CI: 1.40–2.62, p < 0.001) and advanced disease (HR 1.43, 95% CI: 1.07–1.92, p = 0.020) presenting with low levels of muscle mass compared to those presenting with high levels. Discussion: These results indicate that although overall adiposity should be cautiously interpreted in regards to survival, high muscle mass and SAT, and low VAT/SAT ratio values are associated with overall survival in men with prostate cancer.

Background. Malignant brain tumors are unpredictable and incurable, with 5-year survival rates less than 30%. The poor prognosis combined with intensive treatment necessitates the inclusion of complementary and supportive therapies that optimize quality of life and reduce treatment-related declines in health. Exercise therapy has been shown to be beneficial in other cancer populations, but no evidence is available for brain cancer survivors. Therefore, we report results from 2 preliminary cases. Methods. Two female patients diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme and oligodendroglioma participated in a structured and supervised 12-week exercise program. The program consisted of two 1-hour resistance and aerobic exercise sessions per week and additional self-managed aerobic sessions. Outcome measures of strength, cardiovascular fitness, and several psychological indicators (depression, anxiety, and quality of life) were recorded at baseline, after 6 weeks and at the conclusion of the intervention. Results. Exercise was well tolerated; both participants completed all 24 sessions and the home-based component with no adverse effects. Objective outcome measures displayed positive responses relating to reduced morbidity. Similar positive responses were found for psychological outcomes. Scores on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale showed clinically meaningful improvements in depression and total distress. Conclusion. These findings provide initial evidence that, despite the difficulties associated with brain cancer treatment and survivorship, exercise may be safe and beneficial and should be considered in the overall management of patients with brain cancer.

Background: Neoadjuvant chemoradiation treatment (CRT) in rectal cancer patients is associated with a reduction in physical capacity, lean mass and increased fatigue. As a countermeasure to these treatment-related adverse effects, we examined the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a 10-week exercise program during CRT. Methods: Ten rectal cancer patients (7 men, aged 27-70 years, body mass index = 26.4 ± 3.8 kg/m²) receiving CRT undertook supervised resistance and aerobic exercise twice weekly. Assessments were undertaken pre- and post-intervention for upper and lower body muscle strength by 1-RM, muscle endurance, physical performance tests, body composition by dual X-ray absorptiometry, quality of life, and fatigue. Results: There was a significant loss in appendicular skeletal muscle (−1.1 kg, P = .012), and fat mass (−0.8 kg, P = .029) following CRT. Despite the loss in skeletal muscle, leg press ( P = .030) and leg extension ( P = .046) strength improved by 27.2% and 22.7%, respectively, and leg press endurance by 76.7% ( P = .007). Changes in strength were accompanied by improved performance ( P < .05) in 6-m fast walking speed (6.9%) and dynamic balance as determined by the 6-m backwards walk (15.5%). There was minimal change in quality of life and fatigue, and no adverse events related to training. Conclusions: Exercise during neoadjuvant CRT appears to be feasible and well tolerated in rectal cancer patients and may enhance physical function while minimizing adverse changes in body composition and cancer-related fatigue. These initial findings need to be confirmed in randomized controlled trials.