Benefits of resistance training are not preserved after cessation of supervised training in prostate cancer patients on androgen deprivation therapy

Resistance exercise training is effective to counteract the adverse effects of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) on body composition, muscle mass and leg strength in prostate cancer patients (PCa). However, it is unknown whether these effects can be autonomously maintained after cessation of the supervised program. Sixty-eight PCa patients on ADT were included. The exercise intervention group (EX, n = 37) performed 20 weeks of supervised resistance exercise training. Thereafter, patients were advised to autonomously continue exercise training. The control group (CON, n = 31) only received usual care. Outcome measures were compared between baseline and after 1 year. Changes during the intervention (baseline vs. 20 weeks) and follow-up period (20 weeks vs. 1 year) were descriptively explored. In EX, 83% reported to have continued exercise training themselves. After 1 year, fat mass gains were attenuated in EX compared to CON (1.2 +/- 2.6 and 2.8 +/- 1.9 kg, respectively; time x treatment effect p = 0.032). The fat percentage increased, and lean mass and quadriceps muscle cross-sectional area decreased over time, with no differences between groups (overall 1.6 +/- 2.1%, -0.7 +/- 2.3 kg and -2.2 +/- 2.9 cm(2), respectively; time effects, all p < 0.05). For muscle strength, an increase of similar to 5% in EX was observed, significantly different from the similar to 10% decrease in CON (p < 0.001). Subsequent analyses showed that the initial exercise training-obtained gains in lean mass, muscle mass and strength in EX compared to CON, declined during the follow-up period. In conclusion, PCa patients on ADT are not capable to autonomously maintain the exercise-obtained gains of a 20-week supervised training program over a subsequent 1-year period.