Fitness outcomes from a randomised controlled trial of exercise training for men with prostate cancer: the ENGAGE study

<i>Purpose</i> The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a 12-week, clinician-referred, community-based exercise training program with supervised and unsupervised sessions for men with prostate cancer. The secondary purpose was to determine whether androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) modified responses to exercise training.<br /><br /><i>Methods</i> Secondary analysis was undertaken on data from a multicentre cluster randomised controlled trial in which 15 clinicians were randomly assigned to refer eligible patients to an exercise training intervention (n = 8) or to provide usual care (n = 7). Data from 119 patients (intervention n = 53, control n = 66) were available for this analysis. Outcome measures included fitness and physical function, anthropometrics, resting heart rate, and blood pressure.<br /><br /><i>Results</i> Compared to the control condition, men in the intervention significantly improved their 6-min walk distance (Mdiff = 49.98 m, padj = 0.001), leg strength (Mdiff = 21.82 kg, padj = 0.001), chest strength (Mdiff = 6.91 kg, padj = 0.001), 30-s sit-to-stand result (Mdiff = 3.38 reps, padj = 0.001), and reach distance (Mdiff = 4.8 cm, padj = 0.024). A significant difference (unadjusted for multiplicity) in favour of men in the intervention was also found for resting heart rate (Mdiff = −3.76 beats/min, p = 0.034). ADT did not modify responses to exercise training.<br /><br /><i>Conclusions</i> Men with prostate cancer who act upon clinician referrals to community-based exercise training programs can improve their strength, physical functioning, and, potentially, cardiovascular health, irrespective of whether or not they are treated with ADT.<br /><br /><i>Implications for Cancer Survivors</i> Clinicians should inform men with prostate cancer about the benefits of exercise and refer them to appropriately qualified exercise practitioners and suitable community-based programs.