In-hospital individualized prescriptive exercise intervention for acute leukemia patients undergoing chemotherapy

In-hospital individualized prescriptive exercise intervention for acute leukemia patients undergoing chemotherapy Public Deposited

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Creator

Gregory, Bradley Barnes
- Affiliation: College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Exercise and Sport Science

Abstract

Exercise intervention studies among leukemia patients have previously been very limited. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to examine the effects of an individualized prescriptive exercise intervention, administered in-hospital during the treatment-recovery of leukemia patients, on fitness parameters and quality of life. Five patient volunteers were recruited for the subject, and four successfully completed the six-week training protocol, which consisted of aerobic activity between 40-60% of heart rate reserve, endurance-based resistance training, and flexibility training. Physiological and psychological parameters were assessed within three days of the induction phase of chemotherapy, and again at the end of the fourth week of recovery. Non-significant differences were observed for every variable, leading researchers to believe all parameters were maintained throughout the six-week exercise training protocol. The results of this study demonstrate that an exercise program, consisting of aerobic training, resistance training, and flexibility training, enables acute leukemia patients to maintain physiology and quality of life while undergoing chemotherapy.

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