Background: Thrombosis is a common and critical consequence of cancer. Changes in thrombotic potential were examined after exercise training in patients with cancer. Methods: Eight cancer patients (65 ± 11 yrs) completed this study, five exercising and three non-exercising controls. Venous blood samples were obtained at baseline and after approximately 12 weeks of study participation. Weekly physical activity was measured using a standard, validated physical activity questionnaire. APTT, PT, fibrinogen and factor VIII were measured before and after the 12-week intervention. Results: A time x group interaction trend (p=0.067) was observed for fibrinogen. Plasma concentrations decreased in the exercise group (355 ± 49.3 mg/dL to 331 ± 19.5 mg/dL), but increased in the control group (341 ± 52.4 mg/dL to 384 ± 107.9 mg/dL). Physical activity significantly decreased over time in both groups. Conclusions: Exercise training may reduce coagulation potential in cancer patients more than usual and customary care. / School of Physical Education, Sport, and Exercise Science

A suppressed immune system is a complicating health factor in cancer patients that keeps them from achieving the highest quality of life possible. Moderate exercise is thought to boost the immune system in cancer patients. The aim of this project was to determine the effects of an eight week aerobic exercise program on the mucosal immune system of cancer survivors compared to non-cancer patients. Our hypothesis was that the immune system of the cancer patients would positively respond to a moderate exercise program, specifically increasing antibody production. To examine our hypothesis, five cancer and six non-cancer patients undertook a supervised moderate aerobic exercise program at the University of Northern Colorado. The subjects performed an incremental peak treadmill test to exhaustion at the start of the program and after 8 weeks of training. Saliva samples were taken at specific times for each peak exercise test: prior to testing, immediately after testing, and 30 minutes post-test. Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assays (ELISA) were performed at Ball State University to analyze the levels of immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, IgM) in saliva samples of cancer and non-cancer patients. Our findings demonstrated there was a significant increase in IgG after 8 weeks of moderate exercise in non-cancer patients 30 minutes after the treadmill test. A significant increase was also seen in salivary IgA levels after 8 weeks of moderate exercise in cancer patients 30 minutes after the treadmill test was administered, supporting our hypothesis that exercise enhances immune function. Eight weeks of moderate exercise has been shown to enhance immune function demonstrated by the increase of IgA and IgG levels in saliva. / Department of Biology

Cancer-treatment-induced bone loss (CTBL) is a well-recognized co-morbidity that affects many cancer patients. Commonly used to treat breast and prostate cancer patients, hormone suppression therapy (HST) may accelerate bone loss, resulting in osteopenia or osteoporosis. Because of their broad clinical utility, lifestyle and dietary modifications, such as regular participation in bone-stressing exercise and calcium supplementation, are starting to play a much larger role in the prevention and treatment of CTBL. However, only limited information is available on the effects that these factors may have on bone mineral density (BMD). Purpose. The purpose of this investigation was to assess the degree of BMD change from the onset of HST to 6 months and to examine the impact that physical activity and calcium intake may have on BMD. Methods. Twelve subjects (8 females and 4 males) undergoing HST for breast or prostate cancer were enrolled in the study. BMD at the spine, dual femur, and total body was assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry at 0 and 6 months. In addition, subjects wore an accelerometer to assess physical activity level and completed a lifestyle questionnaire at baseline, 3, and 6 months after starting therapy. Aside from the 7 non-exercise subjects, 5 subjects chose to participate in The Cancer Exercise Program at Ball Memorial Hospital or complete bone-stressing exercises at home. Results. No significant changes in BMD were observed after 6 months of HST between the groups at any of the sites. When all subjects were examined together, a significant BMD decrease of 3.2% was observed at the lumbar spine. The accelerometer and lifestyle questionnaires revealed that the males were more active than the females and the exercisers were more active than the non-exercisers at both baseline and after 6 months of HST. Supplementation with calcium did not affect BMD changes at any site;although it is possible this is an effect of gender as all males were included in the same group. Lifestyle factors such as history of smoking and alcoholism were also examined, but were not correlated to changes in BMD. Conclusion. Treatment with HST results in decreases in BMD, particularly at the spine. Bone-stressing exercise helped maintain or improve total body BMD in 3 of the 5 subjects the exercise group. There appears to be no difference in BMD between those who supplemented with calcium and those who did not. / School of Physical Education, Sport, and Exercise Science