Peng Chenggen, Hu Ming, Yang Linlin, Yuan Zhichao
Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, Guangxi Science & Technology Normal University, Laibin, Guangxi, China.
Front Physiol. 2025 Jun 13;16:1594574. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2025.1594574. eCollection 2025.
Advances in cancer treatment have led to a significant increase in the global number of cancer survivors. However, long-term health management challenges-such as reduced cardiopulmonary function, cancer-related fatigue, and metabolic dysregulation-remain formidable. The purpose of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to comprehensively compare the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) versus moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) on Cardiopulmonary function, body composition, and physical function in cancer survivors. Thereby providing evidence-based guidance for individualized exercise prescriptions.
By the PRISMA guidelines, we systematically searched databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and EBSCOhost up to February 2025. A total of 12 eligible RCTs were included, breast cancer (n = 7), colorectal cancer (n = 3), and mixed cancer types (n = 2). Meta-analysis was performed using Cochrane Collaboration's Review Manager 5.4, while sensitivity analyses were conducted with Stata MP 14.0 to assess the stability and reliability of the results. Egger's test was utilized to evaluate the presence of publication bias.
The meta-analysis revealed that, compared with MICT, HIIT was significantly more effective in improving VO peak (Peak Oxygen Uptake) in cancer survivors [SMD = 0.53, 95% CI (0.21, 0.84), Z = 3.30, P = 0.001]. However, no statistically significant differences were found between HIIT and MICT in terms of body composition (including Body Mass, Total Fat Mass, Lean Body Mass, Fat Percentage, Body Mass Index, Waist Circumference, and Hip Circumference) or physical function (including Sit-to-Stand Test and 6-Minute Walk Test).
HIIT appears superior to MICT in enhancing VO peak and, consequently, cardiopulmonary function in cancer survivors. Nonetheless, both training modalities yield comparable outcomes in body composition and physical function. Given the variability in the quantity and quality of the included studies, further well-designed and objective RCTs are warranted to validate these findings.
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/myprospero, identifier CRD420250654968.
癌症治疗的进展导致全球癌症幸存者数量显著增加。然而，长期健康管理挑战——如心肺功能下降、癌症相关疲劳和代谢失调——仍然严峻。本研究的目的是对随机对照试验（RCT）进行荟萃分析，以全面比较高强度间歇训练（HIIT）与中等强度持续训练（MICT）对癌症幸存者心肺功能、身体成分和身体功能的影响。从而为个性化运动处方提供循证指导。
按照PRISMA指南，我们系统检索了截至2025年2月的数据库，包括PubMed、科学网、Scopus、Embase、考克兰图书馆和EBSCOhost。共纳入12项符合条件的随机对照试验，其中乳腺癌（n = 7）、结直肠癌（n = 3）和混合癌症类型（n = 2）。使用考克兰协作网的Review Manager 5.4进行荟萃分析，同时使用Stata MP 14.0进行敏感性分析，以评估结果的稳定性和可靠性。采用Egger检验评估发表偏倚的存在。
荟萃分析显示，与中等强度持续训练相比，高强度间歇训练在改善癌症幸存者的最大摄氧量（VO₂峰值）方面显著更有效[标准化均数差（SMD）= 0.53，95%置信区间（CI）（0.21，0.84），Z = 3.30，P = 0.001]。然而，在身体成分（包括体重、总脂肪量、瘦体重、脂肪百分比、体重指数、腰围和臀围）或身体功能（包括坐立试验和6分钟步行试验）方面，高强度间歇训练与中等强度持续训练之间未发现统计学显著差异。
高强度间歇训练在提高癌症幸存者的VO₂峰值以及心肺功能方面似乎优于中等强度持续训练。尽管如此，两种训练方式在身体成分和身体功能方面产生的结果相当。鉴于纳入研究的数量和质量存在差异，有必要进行进一步设计良好且客观的随机对照试验来验证这些发现。
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/myprospero，标识符CRD420250654968。
