Home-based exercise for older men on androgen deprivation therapy: Feasible and safe, but effective?

Prostate Cancer (PC) is the leading cancer diagnosed in North America among older males. Treatment for PC can vary; however, almost 50% of diagnosed men will receive androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) at some point after diagnosis. The disease and its treatments can cause numerous adverse effects that can be detrimental to quality of life (QOL) and daily functioning. Research has shown that meeting physical activity (PA) recommendations improvesmany of the side effects experienced bymen onADT. Men diagnosed with PC tend to be older, and may have additional co-morbidities that can cause symptoms and impair functioning, leading to reduced PA. Unfortunately, fewer than 40% of men diagnosed with PC are meeting the recommended levels of PA and therefore not receiving the benefits. A reduction of PA is commonly associated with sedentary behavior, which is categorized as activity or behaviors where there is limited to no whole body movement, or where energy levels do not increase above resting level (u003c1.5 metabolic equivalent (MET)). Common examples of sedentary behavior include working on a computer or watching television. Health risks suchas cancer, type II diabetes, and cardiovascular disease have been associated with greater sedentary behavior.