Dae Taek Lee

Adherence to Health-Related Lifestyle Behavior Recommendations and Association with Quality of Life among Cancer Survivors and Age-Matched Controls in Korea

BACKGROUND This study was conducted to determine the relationship between lifestyle behavior and quality of life (QoL) among cancer survivors in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS Data for a total of 471 (173 men, 298 women) cancer survivors (CS) over 40 years old were obtained from the database of the 4th Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES IV). An identical number of subjects of the same age, sex, and education who had no restrictions in physical activity were randomly selected from the database and represented the control group (CG). Drinking, smoking, and exercise behavior were assessed. RESULTS The number of heavy drinkers was lower in CS (9.4%) than in CG (15.8%) (p<0.01); similarly, there were fewer smokers in CS (9.1%) than in CG (14.0%) (p<0.05). The percentage of individuals engaging in vigorous, moderate, and low-intensity exercise did not differ between CS (13.6%, 14.7%, and 50.0%) and CG (14.3%, 13.4%, and 49.7%, respectively). No differences in Euro QoL Questionnaire 5-Dimensional Classification (EQ-5D) scores on both drinking and smoking behaviors were noted. Compared to the non-exercisers, the low-intensity exercisers in CG (0.91±0.10 vs. 0.94±0.09), vigorous-intensity exercisers in CS (0.84±0.62 vs. 0.91±0.11), and low-intensity exercisers in CS (0.82±0.22 vs. 0.88±0.13) scored higher on the EQ-5D. CONCLUSIONS Although cancer survivors practiced more conscious health behavior in drinking and smoking, their engagement in exercise did not differ from that of non-cancer survivors. Since exercise engagement increases QoL in general, implementation of an educational program that promotes exercise engagement in cancer survivors may be required.

Effects of active drinking practices on fluid consumption and sweat rate while exercising in a hot environment.

[Purpose] To examine the effects of active drinking practices on fluid consumption and sweat rate while exercising in a hot environment. [Methods] Nine men completed two experiments. Each consisted of 3 phases: pre-testing (pre), training period, and post-testing (post). During testing, the subjects ran on a treadmill at a moderate intensity for 90 min at 39 ± 1℃ followed by a 3-h recovery. They drank ad libitum. During training, they ran for 90 min for 7 days while either drinking actively (AH, 150% of weight loss) or passively (PH, 50% of weight loss). [Results] The actual volume consumed in training was three times greater during AH than during PH. In post during AH, the volume of drinking was two times greater than pre (1592 ± 953 and 855 ± 551 mL, respectively; p < 0.05). No difference in volume consumption during PH between pre and post was found. The sweat loss during exercise was greater in post (1377 ± 956 mL) than in pre (558 ± 642 mL) during AH (p < 0.05), but not during PH. Rectal temperature and heart rate decreased after training. Serum osmolality following exercise were not different than the baseline or between the conditions. [Conclusion] Active drinking practices while exercising in a hot environment induced greater voluntary fluid intake and sweat loss.

Feasibility and effects of a postoperative recovery exercise program developed specifically for gastric cancer patients (PREP-GC) undergoing minimally invasive gastrectomy

Purpose Exercise intervention after surgery has been found to improve physical fitness and quality of life (QOL). The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility and effects of a postoperative recovery exercise program developed specifically for gastric cancer patients (PREP-GC) undergoing minimally invasive gastrectomy. Materials and Methods Twenty-four patients treated surgically for early gastric cancer were enrolled in the PREP-GC. The exercise program comprised sessions of In-hospital Exercise (1 week), Home Exercise (1 week), and Fitness Improvement Exercise (8 weeks). Adherence and compliance to PREP-GC were evaluated. In addition, body composition, physical fitness, and QOL were assessed during the preoperative period, after the postoperative recovery (2 weeks after surgery), and upon completing the PREP-GC (10 weeks after surgery). Results Of the 24 enrolled patients, 20 completed the study without any adverse events related to the PREP-GC. Adherence and compliance rates to the Fitness Improvement Exercise were 79.4% and 99.4%, respectively. Upon completing the PREP-GC, patients also exhibited restored cardiopulmonary function and muscular strength, with improved muscular endurance and flexibility (P<0.05). Compared to those in the preoperative period, no differences were found in symptom scale scores measured using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Core Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ-C30) and Quality of Life Questionnaire-Stomach Cancer-Specific Module (QLQ-STO22); however, higher scores for global health status and emotional functioning were observed after completing the PREP-GC (P<0.05). Conclusions In gastric cancer patients undergoing minimally invasive gastrectomy, PREP-GC was found to be feasible and safe, with high adherence and compliance. Although randomized studies evaluating the benefits of exercise intervention during postoperative recovery are needed, surgeons should encourage patients to participate in systematic exercise intervention programs in the early postoperative period (Registered at the ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01751880).

Effects of Trekking Pole Use on Metabolic Cost in Novice Hikers on Steep Terrains

PURPOSE: This study examined whether the use of trekking poles alters metabolic cost in steep hiking by novice hikers and whether the response would be dependent on the grade of the terrain. METHODS: Twelve participants completed two trekking trials (with poles [WP] and without trekking poles [NP]) with round trips comprising three grades: 7.0 ± 0.7°, 12.9 ± 0.7°, and 18.8 ± 1.3°) over a steep mountain at self-paced speeds. During the trials, time spent for trekking (TT), oxygen consumption (VO2), heart rate (HR), ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), and step frequency (Sf) were measured, and step efficiency (Se) and oxygen pulse (OP) were calculated. RESULTS: TT tended to be longer in the WP than NP for both terrains (P < 0.05). HR, VO2, and RPE were the same for the WP and NP. Sf was lower in WP going uphill (P < 0.05) but was unchanged going downhill. Se in the WP was higher than in the NP for both terrains (P < 0.01). When analyzed by slope, VO2 during uphill at 18.8° was lower in WP (37.2 ± 6.3) than in NP (38.6 ± 7.1 ml·kg·min, P < 0.05), but no difference in VO2 was found between WP and NP at the 12.9° and 7.0°. TT during uphill was slower in WP than NP at 12.9° (7.9 ± 1.1 vs. 7.4 ± 1.0) and 18.8° (5.3 ± 1.3 vs. 4.9 ± 1.0 min, respectively, P < 0.05). No differences were noticed in HR and OP during uphill at every grade. CONCLUSIONS: Pole use decreased metabolic cost in the novice hikers only in the highest grade but not in the other two lower grades.