ePoster

Cognitive performance is enhanced by aerobic-strength training, and related to physical fitness and reduced platinum levels in testicular germ cell cancer survivors

Barbara Ukropcova, Ali Amiri, Lucia Slobodova, Karin Marcek Malenovska, Katarina Rerkova, Martin Schon, Zuzana Novakova, Viktor Oliva, Viera Litvakova, Milan Sedliak, Martin Krssak, Tomas Pluhacek, Michal Mego, Michal Chovanec, Jozef Ukropec
FENS Forum 2024(2024)
Messe Wien Exhibition & Congress Center, Vienna, Austria

Conference

FENS Forum 2024

Messe Wien Exhibition & Congress Center, Vienna, Austria

Resources

Authors & Affiliations

Barbara Ukropcova, Ali Amiri, Lucia Slobodova, Karin Marcek Malenovska, Katarina Rerkova, Martin Schon, Zuzana Novakova, Viktor Oliva, Viera Litvakova, Milan Sedliak, Martin Krssak, Tomas Pluhacek, Michal Mego, Michal Chovanec, Jozef Ukropec

Abstract

Platinum-based chemotherapy can accelerate cognitive and metabolic decline in cancer survivors. Physical exercise has a potential to reduce chemotherapy-related toxicity. Our aim was to assess the effects of aerobic-strength training on cognitive functions, physical fitness and metabolism in testicular germ cell tumour (TGCT) survivors, treated with platinum-based chemotherapy. TGCT survivors were enrolled in a 6-month intervention (supervised aerobic-strength training / controls n=20 / 8, age 42.1±7.6 yrs, BMI:27.7±3.8 kg/m², VO2max:29.2±6.7 mlO2/kg/min, 1-20 years post-treatment). Abdominal adiposity (MRI), cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max, spiroergometry), muscle strength (dynamometry), energy metabolism (indirect calorimetry), cognitive functions (FACT-Cog, Memtrax, CogState, Auditory Verbal Learning Test/AVLT), serum glycemia, insulinemia, lipid profile, plasma adiponectin (ELISA), platinum and zinc (Mass Spectrometry) were assessed before and after intervention. Exercise training improved delayed and short-term memory recall (AVLT), reduced visceral adiposity (MRI, p<0.01), increased circulating HDL-cholesterol (p<0.01), cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max) and muscle strength (p=0.01) compared to non-active controls. Training-induced changes in delayed memory recall positively correlated with improvements in VO2max, supporting a link between cognition and cardiorespiratory fitness. Training intervention normalized residual plasma platinum and increased zinc levels (both p<0.01). Platinum levels (p<0.001) and number of chemotherapy cycles (p=0.06) were the best predictors of memory function. Aerobic-strength training may improve memory in parallel with increasing physical fitness and reducing circulating platinum levels in TGCT survivors. Exercise represents an effective tool in the long-term management of cancer survivors, with a potential to reduce residual chemotherapy burden and increase physical fitness, which are linked to enhanced cognitive performance. Funding:APVV19-0411,VEGA2/0161/24,VEGA 2/0144/23,FWF KLI1122

Unique ID: fens-24/cognitive-performance-enhanced-aerobic-strength-70c0bd4a