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Maximal exercise performance in patients with postcancer fatigue

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Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study is to examine whether physical fitness of severely fatigued and non-fatigued cancer survivors, as measured by maximal exercise performance, is different between both groups and, if so, whether this difference can be explained by differences in physical activity, self-efficacy regarding the exercise test, and/or social support.

Methods

Severely fatigued (n = 20) and sex- and age-matched non-fatigued (n = 20) disease-free cancer survivors, who completed treatment for a malignant, solid tumor at least 1 year earlier, participated in this case–control study. Maximal oxygen consumption was measured during an incremental cycling exercise test. Physical activity was assessed via actigraphy. Self-efficacy regarding the test and social support were assessed via questionnaires to study its relationship with physical fitness.

Results

Maximal oxygen consumption was significantly lower in fatigued compared to non-fatigued participants. Actual physical activity, self-efficacy regarding the test, and negative interactions of social support were significantly different between both groups. However, after inclusion of these three variables in linear regression analyses, the difference in physical fitness between fatigued and non-fatigued cancer survivors persisted.

Conclusions

Maximal oxygen consumption, a measure for physical fitness, was reduced in severely fatigued compared to non-fatigued cancer survivors. The inferior maximal exercise performance cannot fully be explained by differences in physical activity, self-efficacy, or social support between both groups. Other currently still unknown factors, such as a disturbance in the cardiopulmonary circuit, may play a role.

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Acknowledgments

We thank all patients who participated in this study, all physicians for referring patients, Lianne Vermeeren for assistance with data collection, and Bregina Hijmans-Kersten and Linda Pardoel for technical support and helpful advice.

Role of the funding source

This work was supported by the Dutch Cancer Society [KUN 2008-4002], but it was not involved in the study design; in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; and in the decision to submit the manuscript for publication.

Conflict of interest

The corresponding author and the coauthors have no conflicts of interest to declare. We allow the journal to review our data if requested.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Oncology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Geert Grooteplein-Zuid 8, 6525 GA, Nijmegen, the Netherlands

    H. Prinsen & H. W. M. van Laarhoven

  2. Department of Physiology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Geert Grooteplein 21, 6525 EZ, Nijmegen, the Netherlands

    M. T. E. Hopman

  3. Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Geert Grooteplein 10, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, the Netherlands

    M. J. Zwarts

  4. Department of Radiation Oncology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Geert Grooteplein-Zuid 32, 6525 GA, Nijmegen, the Netherlands

    J. W. H. Leer

  5. Department of Radiology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Geert Grooteplein-Zuid 16, 6525 GA, Nijmegen, the Netherlands

    A. Heerschap

  6. Expert Centre for Chronic Fatigue, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Toernooiveld 214, 6525 EC, Nijmegen, the Netherlands

    G. Bleijenberg

  7. Department of Medical Oncology, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 226600, 1100 DD, Amsterdam, the Netherlands

    H. W. M. van Laarhoven

  8. Department of Medical Oncology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, the Netherlands

    H. Prinsen

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  1. H. Prinsen
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to H. Prinsen.

Translation self-efficacy questionnaire, Dutch → English

Translation self-efficacy questionnaire, Dutch → English

  1. 1.

    Dit onderzoek zal me wel lukken.

    → I will be able to do this test.

  2. 2.

    Ik heb me goed voorbereid op deze dag.

    → I prepared well for this day.

  3. 3.

    Ik zie tegen het onderzoek op.

    → I am reluctant to do this test.

  4. 4.

    Het zal een grote inspanning voor mij zijn.

    → This will be an intensive exercise for me.

  5. 5.

    Ik denk dat ik moeite zal hebben om dit onderzoek te voltooien.

    → I think I will find it difficult to complete this test.

  6. 6.

    Ik weet niet of ik me volledig kan inspannen tijdens dit onderzoek.

    → I don't know if I can fully exert myself during this test.

  7. 7.

    Ik verwacht dat ik de opdrachten goed kan uitvoeren.

    → I expect that I can fulfill these assignments well.

  8. 8.

    Ik heb de afgelopen dagen extra veel rust genomen voor dit onderzoek.

    → I have taken extra rest over the last few days for this test.

  9. 9.

    Ik ga me volledig inzetten.

    → I will apply myself fully.

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Prinsen, H., Hopman, M.T.E., Zwarts, M.J. et al. Maximal exercise performance in patients with postcancer fatigue. Support Care Cancer 21, 439–447 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-012-1531-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-012-1531-7

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