Standardized Program of Resistance Training for Prostate Cancer Patients Receiving Androgen Deprivation Therapy (SPoRT-PCa-ADT): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer causes significant adverse effects including muscle wasting, bone density reduction, increased fatigue, and psychological distress. Despite growing evidence supporting exercise as an effective countermeasure, standardized evidence-based protocols for this population remain underdeveloped in clinical practice. Exercise is beneficial for managing cancer-related side effects, and general exercise guidelines for cancer survivors are available, but tailoring of exercise interventions may be more effective in those with treatment-specific complications. METHODS/DESIGN: This randomized controlled trial with two parallel arms compares a 24-week supervised progressive resistance training program (SPoRT-PCa-ADT) with a control group receiving personalized home-based training following initial assessment and weekly telephone follow-up. The SPoRT-PCa-ADT Program utilizes velocity-based training methodology, progressing through three distinct phases (adaptation, development, maintenance) with intensity corresponding to 60% 1RM (mean propulsive velocity 0.92 m/s) and a 10% velocity loss threshold. The exercise protocol focuses primarily on squat movement patterns with real-time velocity feedback and incorporates daily readiness assessment to accommodate treatment-related fatigue fluctuations. Control group participants receive structured written instructions for home-based resistance training including warm-up and three effective sets of 12 repetitions of box squats, to be performed two to three times per week on non-consecutive days, with weekly telephone monitoring. The comprehensive assessment protocol includes progressive loading tests, vertical jump assessment, isometric strength measurement, and patient-reported outcomes measuring fatigue, quality of life, psychological distress, urinary function, and sleep quality. Assessments occur at baseline, midpoint (patient-reported outcomes only), and post-intervention, with additional biomarker collection. DISCUSSION: To our knowledge, this will be the first study to implement a standardized velocity-based training protocol specifically developed for prostate cancer patients receiving ADT. The supervised program is delivered by exercise physiologists in a specialized sports center setting with consistent medical oversight, facilitating integration within cancer care pathways while ensuring exercise quality and safety. This detailed randomized controlled trial protocol provides clinicians with a standardized yet adaptable framework for exercise prescription in PCa-ADT patients, bridging the gap between evidence-based exercise principles and clinical implementation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT07064811, protocol version: 1.0, date registered:15 July 2025).