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Title of Study Fitness4Survivors: A pilot study examining
the impact of a 10-week CrossFit exercise
program on fitness and quality of life with
teenager and young adult cancer survivors in
Northern Ireland
Abstract
Context
On average 76 teenagers and young adults (TYA) aged 14-24 years are
diagnosed with cancer each year in Northern Ireland, with on average 240
TYAs living with and beyond cancer each year.
A growing number of studies have looked at the impact of physical activity
on long-term survival. Exercise has been shown to improve cardiovascular
fitness, muscle strength, body composition, fatigue, anxiety, depression,
self-esteem, happiness, and several quality of life factors in cancer
survivors.
Methodology and Methods used
The quasi - experimental design included an experimental and control
group where purposive sampling was used to allocate participants to each
group.
All participants underwent assessments and reassessments (following 10
week exercise program) for: quality of life, fatigue, strength, cardiovascular
health, flexibility, balance, speed, endurance and lung function.
Participants were required to perform specific exercise workouts together
in a class format twice a week in a CrossFit gym.
Findings
The number of participants was capped at 20 as part of the ethical
approval process. Improvements were seen across all physical fitness
measures as well as quality of life and fatigue among the experimental
group following the exercise intervention. No significant improvements
were observed within the control group during the 10 week period of not
receiving any intervention.