Baseline Characteristics of Individuals with Metastatic Cancer Enrolled in the Alberta Cancer Exercise Study and 12-Week Findings for Symptom-Related and Physical Fitness Measures

Exercise has been found to be safe and beneficial for people with advanced cancers, but more research is needed to understand how best to design and implement exercise programming. The Alberta Cancer Exercise (ACE) study examines the effectiveness and implementation of a 12-week community-based exercise program in Alberta, Canada, for people diagnosed with cancer. Here, we describe the characteristics of individuals with metastatic cancer enrolled in the ACE program and report 12-week changes in self-reported and objective outcomes. Of 306 participants, 274 (89.5%) completed the 12-week study. Many participants were female (65.4%), with ≥1 comorbidity (71.9%), and on active cancer treatment (74.8%). Common cancer types included breast (33.7%), genitourinary (16.7%), and digestive (15.0%). Frequent sites of metastasis were bone (44.8%), liver (28.8%), and lung (25.8%). The mean exercise attendance rate was 73.6%. One exercise-related adverse event (0.3%) and one non-exercise-related adverse event (0.3%) occurred, both in individuals with brain metastases. Participants demonstrated strong interest and engagement in exercise, with significant improvements in weekly physical activity, symptoms, quality of life, and physical fitness. Greater benefits were found among subgroups of male participants, those not undergoing chemotherapy, and those receiving group personal training or virtual circuit training. A low rate of adverse events is anticipated.