Muscle hypertrophy in cancer patients and survivors via strength training. A meta-analysis and meta-regression

Maximilian Koeppel; Katlynn Mathis; Kathryn H Schmitz; Joachim Wiskemann

doi:10.1016/j.critrevonc.2021.103371

Muscle hypertrophy in cancer patients and survivors via strength training. A meta-analysis and meta-regression

Crit Rev Oncol Hematol. 2021 Jul:163:103371. doi: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2021.103371. Epub 2021 May 29.

Authors

Maximilian Koeppel¹, Katlynn Mathis², Kathryn H Schmitz³, Joachim Wiskemann⁴

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Sports and Sport Science, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 700, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany; Working Group Exercise Oncology, Division of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases Heidelberg (NCT Heidelberg) and Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany; Penn State College of Medicine, University Drive 500, 17033, Hershey, PA, USA.
² Penn State College of Medicine, University Drive 500, 17033, Hershey, PA, USA; Harrisburg Area Community College, Bldg. YL150, 17401, YORK, PA, USA.
³ Penn State College of Medicine, University Drive 500, 17033, Hershey, PA, USA.
⁴ Penn State College of Medicine, University Drive 500, 17033, Hershey, PA, USA; Harrisburg Area Community College, Bldg. YL150, 17401, YORK, PA, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 34062243
DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2021.103371

Abstract

Background: Muscle wasting has a negative effect on treatment toxicity and cancer prognosis. Resistance training appears to be a promising approach to counteract the loss of muscle mass.

Methods: Pubmed, Cochrane Library, SportDiscus and CINAHL. Randomized controlled resistance training trials with cancer survivros where eligible if lean body mass (LBM) or muscle mass were assessed.

Results: A total of 34 trials were included into the primary analysis. Compared to the control individuals, the intervention groups show a superiority in LBM of 0.85 kg (95 % CI = 0.26-1.43, p = .004). Isolated, the participants in the intervention groups show an increase in LBM of 0.51 kg (95 % CI = -0.05-1.06, p = .072); the control groups displayed a decrease of -0.59 kg (95 % CI= -1.04 to 0.06, p = .078). Supervision displayed an mediating role.

Conclusions: Resistance training can counteract the loss of muscle mass in cancer patients. Especially in a supervised setting.

Keywords: Cancer; Exercise; Lean body mass; Muscle hypertrophy; Resistance training; Sarcopenia.

Publication types

Meta-Analysis

MeSH terms

Humans
Hypertrophy
Muscle Strength
Muscle, Skeletal
Muscles
Neoplasms* / complications
Neoplasms* / therapy
Resistance Training*
Survivors