Author(s): TREMBLAY LAPRISE, C., POIRIER, L., FÜLÖP, T., PAVIC, M., MAMPUYA, W.M., RIESCO, E., Institution: UNIVERSITY OF SHERBROOKE, Country: CANADA, Abstract-ID: 2208

INTRODUCTION:
Advances in cancer treatments have improved survival, but many therapies induce cardiovascular toxicity, making cardiovascular disease a leading cause of mortality among cancer survivors. Elevated blood pressure is a common manifestation of this toxicity. Although aerobic exercise can acutely reduce blood pressure, whether exercise intensity influences this response during cancer treatment remains unclear.
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to compare post-exercise hypotensive effects of moderate- and high-intensity aerobic exercise in individuals undergoing cancer treatment.
METHODS:
Thirty-six participants receiving treatment for breast or colorectal cancer (stage 1 to 3a) are completing a randomized crossover trial including two work-matched aerobic exercise conditions performed on a cycle ergometer: 1) moderate-intensity exercise (MOD) and 2) high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE). The MOD condition consists of 32 min of cycling at 50% of the power output (PO) achieved during the final stage of the submaximal test (baseline visit). The HIIE condition consists of six cycles of 2 min at 110% PO interspersed with 2 min at 25% PO. Two familiarization sessions are performed before the experimental conditions to confirm exercise prescription. Blood pressure is measured pre-exercise, at 10-, 20-, and 30-min during exercise; every 5 min for 30 min post-exercise; and at 45- and 60-min post-exercise.
RESULTS:
Intermediate analyses indicated that exercise intensity (F=7.212, p=0.008), time (F=7.079, p<0.001), and their interaction (F=2.933, p<0.001) significantly affected blood pressure, with differences primarily observed during exercise. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) during exercise was higher during HIIE compared with MOD exercise (peak SBP: 159.7 ± 22.3 vs. 136.9 ± 27.1 mmHg), reflecting an intensity-dependent physiological response. Neither exercise condition elicited significant changes in post-exercise blood pressure. Pre-exercise blood pressure was relatively low prior to both conditions (MOD: 122.4 ± 14.6/77.8 ± 9.4 mmHg; HIIE: 122.2 ± 17.6/76.2 ± 10.8 mmHg), which may have limited the potential for post-exercise hypotension.
CONCLUSION:
At this stage of the study, moderate- and high-intensity aerobic exercise did not elicit post-exercise hypotension in individuals receiving cancer treatment, likely due to their low baseline blood pressure. In contrast, blood pressure responses during exercise were intensity-dependent and consistent with expected physiological responses. Completion of the ongoing trial will allow a more comprehensive characterization of post-exercise blood pressure regulation in this population.