The acute effects of high intensity interval training and its impact on dose-limiting toxicities in breast and gynecological cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy

Chemotherapy-induced dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) reduce treatment efficacy, quality of life, and
survival in cancer patients. While exercise is a promising non-pharmacological intervention, most
studies focus on long-term effects, overlooking the role of acute exercise responses in mitigating
DLTs. My project explores the acute physiological responses to high-intensity interval training (HIIT)
during chemotherapy and examines its impact on DLTs and clinical outcomes, recognizing HIIT’s
unique effects on cancer cell metabolism. The objectives include reviewing existing HIIT
prescriptions, identifying barriers to implementation, determining potential factors that may influence
HIIT-induced acute responses, and evaluating its effects on DLTs and quality of life. A pilot
randomized controlled trial will integrate biomarker analysis and real-time physiological monitoring to
assess HIIT-induced acute responses. My research aims to establish an optimized HIIT protocol that
reduces DLTs and develops personalized exercise prescriptions tailored to patient-profiles. Findings
will facilitate the integration of HIIT into oncology care and contribute to evidence-based exercise
guidelines for chemotherapy patients. My project will establish a foundation for future comprehensive
studies on the impact of HIIT-induced acute responses on the tumor microenvironment, potentially
integrating real-time monitoring of cancer cell metabolism.