Muscular Endurance Testing May Not Relate To Self-reported Fatigue In Aya Cancer Survivors

Cancer-related fatigue (CRF), or its treatment can lead to physical inactivity, reduced quality of life (QoL), and reduced functional capacity. Adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors are currently understudied and have increased cardiovascular and metabolic disease risk as they age. understanding how to reduce (CRF) and increase physical activity (PA) is paramount in this population. Understanding how PA can mitigate CRF effects may lead to a better QoL for AYA cancer survivors. PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between self-reported CRF and muscular endurance/strength in AYA survivors. METHODS: 29 AYA cancer survivors aged 15-39 (mean = 27; M = 7, F = 22) were randomized into either an exercise (EX) or an attention control (AC) health coaching arm. Participants were assessed at baseline, 12-weeks, and 24 weeks. Measures included the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy - Fatigue (FACIT-F), a 40-item questionnaire to assess CRF therapy and a 60-second chair sit-to-stand test that evaluated muscular endurance and strength. RESULTS: EX participants sit-to-stand scores increased by 3.23 repetitions on average, and FACIT-F scores improved by 1.3 points on average, which was a medium effect size (Cohen’s d = .56). AC participants’ sit-to-stand scores and Facit-F scores worsening at the 12-week assessment (-1.25 repetitions and an increase in fatigue score of 1.89 points on average). These represented a small effect size (Cohen’s d = .24). There was a medium correlation observed between the change scores for FACIT-F and change scores for sit-to-stand when statistical analysis was performed (r = .29, r2 = .082, p = .133). CONCLUSION: These data suggest that the severity of CRF-related therapy may not correlate with muscular endurance tests such as the sit-to-stand test. Further research should explore higher-intensity exercise or longer interventions to that may reveal significant clinical outcomes in therapy-related fatigue and functional capacity in AYA cancer survivors.