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. 2023 Oct 18;31(11):643. doi: 10.1007/s00520-023-08103-9

Table 1.

Overview of included studies on the influence of HIIT training

Authors (year) Sample Cancer related supplementary information UICC stage Groups Training duration in weeks Training frequency per week Training protocol Training intensity Training equipment Outcome Results
Adams et al., 2017 [46]

n=63

44 ± 11 years

Testicular cancer, cancer survivors: time since diagnosis on average 8 years NI

Group 1: HIIT (n=35)

Group 2: UC (n=28)

12 3

Group 1:

5min warm up, 4 × 4min incline walking or running, 3min rest, 5min cool down

Group 1:

Warm up: 5% ventilatory threshold, intervals at 75–95% V̇O2PEAK

Active rest at 5–10% below ventilatory threshold

Treadmill relV̇O2PEAK

Group 1: +4.2ml O2/kg/min

Group 2: +0.6ml O2/kg/min

HIIT vs. UC: p<0.001

Adams et al., 2018

[49]

n=63

44 ± 11 years

Testicular cancer, cancer survivors: time since diagnosis on average 8 years NI

Group 1: HIIT (n=35)

Group 2: UC (n=28)

12 3

Group 1:

5min warm up,

4 × 4min incline walking or running, 3min rest, 5min cool down

Group 1:

Warm up: 5% ventilatory threshold, intervals at 75–95% V̇O2PEAK

Active rest at 5–10% below ventilatory threshold

Treadmill relV̇O2PEAK

Group 1 vs. Group 2:+ 3.7ml O2/kg/min

HIIT vs. UC: p<0.001

Alizadeh et al., 2019

[81]

n=50

Group 1: 49 ± 9 years

Group 2: 48 ± 8 years

Breast cancer, completed therapy (chemotherapy, radiotherapy) in the last month prior to the intervention I–III

Group 1: HIIT (n = 24)

Group 2: CG (n = 26)

(different information)

12 3

Group 1:

Total 38min, 5min warm up, 4 × 4min walking uphill, rest 3min, 5min cool down

Group 2:

Normal physical activity levels

Group 1:

HIIT:90–95% HRMAX,

Recovery: 50–70% HRMAX

Treadmill V̇O2MAX

Group 1: +21.65%

HIIT vs. Control: p=0.002

Banerjee et al., 2018

[78]

n=60

Group 1: 72 ± 7 years

Group 2: 73 ± 8 Years

Bladder cancer, preoperative, before radical cystectomy NI

Group 1: HIIT (n=30)

Group 2: CG (n=30)

3–6 2 Group 1: Warm up 5–10min, 6×5min, rest 2.5min

Group 1:

Warm up: 50W, Borg 13–15 (ca. 70–85% predicted HRMAX, cool down at 50W

Cycling ergometer relV̇O2PEAK

Group 1: 19.22±4.8 to 21.07±5.6 ml/kg/min

Group 2: 20.38±5.59 to 20.84±5.43 ml/kg/min

HIIT vs. Control: p=0.057

Bell et al., 2021 [89]*

n=20

Group 1: 49 ± 4 years

Group 2: 51 ± 5 years

Breast cancer, completed therapy (chemotherapy, radiation therapy) at least 6 months prior IA, IIA, IIB

Group 1: HIIT (n=10)

Group 2: MICT (n=10)

12 2

Group 1: 3–5min warm up, 4×2min (weeks 1–2) 4×5min (weeks 3–12) Intervals, 5min cool down, 33min total

Group 2: 5min warm up, 14 (weeks 1–2)–25min (weeks 3–12) continuous, 5min cool down, 33min total

Group 1:

Warm up: Intervals at 70–75%HRR

Group 2: 60%HRR

Cycling ergometer relV̇O2PEAK

Group 1: 27.8±5.2 to 29.8±5.1 ml/kg/min

Group 2: 26.3±7.0 to 27.4±7.0 ml/kg/min

HIIT vs. MICT (p=0.21)

Bhatiaand Kayser, 2019 [56]

n=151

64 ± 12 years

Lung cancer, preoperative, before primary lung resection, I–IIIA

Group 1: HIIT (n=74)

Group 2: CG (n=77)

2-3 3

Group 1:

5min warm up, 2 × 20 × 15s, rest 15s, rest in between 4min, 5min cool down

Group 1:

Warm up 50% WPEAK, intervals all out at 100% WPEAK

Pause: passive resting, cool down 30% WPEAK

Cycling ergometer

relV̇O2PEAK

6MWT

Group 1: +14% (MED) CI 3–26 (p=0.004) of relV̇O2PEAK, +20% (MED) CI 14–26% of walking distance (p<0.001)

Blackwell et al., 2020

[44]

n=34

Group 1: 71 ± 2 years

Group 2: 72 ± 4 years

Urological cancer, preoperative, before major urological surgery NI

Group 1: HIIT (n=18)

Group 2: UC (n=16)

4 3–4

Group 1:

5 × 60s

Rest: unloaded cycling

Group 1:

100–115% (max load in W)

Cycling ergometer relV̇O2PEAK Group 1: MD +2.26 ml/kg/min (CI 0.24–4.08) (p<0.05)

Devin et al., 2016

[54]*

n=47

62 ± 11 years

Colorectal cancer, cancer survivors: time since diagnosis median=41 months I–IV

Group 1: HIIT (n=30)

Group 2: MICT (n=17)

4 3

Group 1:

10min warm up:

4×4min, rest 3min

Group 2:

50min training

Group 1:

warm up at 50–70% HRMAX, intervals at 85–95% HRPEAK

Pause: 50–70% HRPEAK

Group 2: 50–70% HRPEAK

Cycling ergometer relV̇O2PEAK

Group 1: 24.7±8.1 to 28.2±7.5 mlO2/kg/min (p<0.001)

Group 2: 23.3±5.4 to 24.2±6.4 mlO2/kg/min

(p=0.245)

HIIT vs. MICT: p=0.021

Devin et al., 2018

[74]*

n=57

61 ± 11 years

Colorectal cancer, stages I–IV, cancer survivors: time since diagnosis=4.1±2.5 years NI

Group 1: HIIT (n=18)

Group 2: HIIT (utilizing a tapered frequency prescription) (n=20)

Group 3: MICT (n=19)

8

3 (Groups1 and 3)

Group 2: 3 for weeks 1–4, followed by 1 for weeks 5–8

Groups 1 and 2: total 38min, 10min warm up, 4 × 4min, rest 3min

Group 3:

50min

Groups 1 and 2:

Warm up at 50–70% HRMAX, intervals at 85–95% HRPEAK, active rests

Group 3:

50–70% HRPEAK

Cycling ergometer relV̇O2PEAK

Group 1: +5.0 (mean)

Group 2: +3.1 (mean)

Group 3: +2.7 (mean)

(all p<0.001)

HIIT vs. MICT: +2.3 ml/kg/min (p=0.049)

HIIT vs. group 2 (p>0.05)

Djurhuus et al., 2023 [65]

n=30

Group 1: 63

Group 2: 68

Prostate cancer, preoperative NI

Group 1: HIIT (n=20)

Group 2: CON (n=10)

2–8 4

Group 1: 10min warm up, 20–25min HIIT (4–6×1min, rest 3min

Group 2: maintaining everyday lifestyle

Group 1: Warm up 30% WPEAK, 100–120% WPEAK, rest 30% WPEAK Cycling ergometer relV̇O2PEAK

Group 1: +0.8 (range −0.8–2.3) ml/kg/min (p>0.05)

Group 2: +1.2 (range −1.1–3.5) ml/kg/min

(p>0.05)

HIIT vs. CON: −0.4 (range −3.6–1.9)

(p>0.05)

Dolan et al., 2016

[73]

n=33

57,2 ± 9 years

Breast cancer, cancer survivors: time since diagnosis on average 6 years, I–IIIA

Group 1: CG (n=10)

Group 2: MICT (n=11)

Group 3: HIIT (n=12)

6 3

Group 2: 3.22km (2mi)–4.02km (2.5mi) walking

Group 3:

Progressive interval training, 4–6×2–4min

Group 2:

55/60–70% V̇O2PEAK

Group 3:

Intervals 65–95% V̇O2PEAK, rest 50–<60% V̇O2PEAK

Treadmill or outdoors (not specified) relV̇O2PEAK

Note: Baseline based on total population

Group 1: −-5.97±7.2% (p<0.001)

Group 2: +12.95±10.4% (p<0.001)

Group 3: +11,48±10,5% (p<0.001)

MICT vs. Control (p<0.0001)

HIIT vs. Control (p<0.0001)

Dunne et al., 2016

[79]

n=37

Median: 62 years

Liver cancer, preoperative, before liver resection NI

Group 1: HIIT (n=20)

Group 2: CG (n=17)

4 3

Group 1:

Warm up, 30min HIIT, no details, cool down

Group 1:

Intervals: ≥ 90% V̇O2PEAK rest: ≤ 60% V̇O2PEAK

Cycling ergometer relV̇O2PEAK

Group 1: 17.6±2.3 to 19.6±3.8ml O2/kg/min (p=0.019)

Group 2: 18.6± 3.9 to 18.7±4.1ml O2/kg/min (p=0.958)

HIIT vs. control (p=0.047)

Hooshmand Moghadam et al., 2021 [52]*

n=40

57 ± 1 years

Breast cancer, overweight and obese patients

>6 months outside completion of cancer course treatment (mastectomy, lumpectomy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy)

I–III

Group 1: HIIT (n=13)

Group 2: MICT (n=13)

Group 3: CG (n=14)

12 3

20–30min total, 5min warm up, 5min cool down

Group 1: 4–7×30s, rest 2min

Group 2: 20min continuous

Group 3: maintaining normal daily lifestyle

Group 1: Warm up at ≤50% PP, ≥90% HRMAX after interval 4

Group 2: Warm up at ≤50% PP, followed by 55–65% PP

Cycling ergometer relV̇O2PEAK

Group 1: +0.95 ml/kg/min (95% CI 0.68–1.21, p<0.001)

Group 2: +0.67 ml/kg/min (95% CI 0.5–0.85, p<0.001)

HIIT vs. MICT (p=0.178)

No changes in CG

Hwang et al., 2012

[80]

n=24

Group 1: 61 ± 6 years

Group 2: 59 ± 8 years

Lung cancer, during targeted cancer therapy (epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors for >4 weeks) IIIA, IIIB, IV

Group 1: HIIT (n=13)

Group 2: CG (n=11)

8 3

Group 1:

10min warm up, 2–5min intervals (no details), 5min cool down (total 30–40min)

Group 1:

Intervals at RPE 15–17 or 80% V̇O2PEAK, rest at RPE 11–13 or 60% V̇O2PEAK

Cycling ergometer or Treadmill relV̇O2PEAK

Group 1: 15.1±3.4 to 16.8 ±4.1 ml O2/kg/min (p<0.005)

Group 2: 16.7±4.8 to 16.3±4.6 mlO2/kg/min (p=0.27)

HIIT vs. CG (time × group): p<0.005

Kang et al., 2021 [72]

n=52

63.4 ± 7.1

Prostate cancer, under active surveillance T1c, T2a, T2b

Group 1: HIIT (n=26)

Group 2: UC (n=26)

12 3

Group 1: 5min warm up, 5–8×2min, rest 2min, 5min cool down

Group 2: no change in exercise level

Group 1: Warm up 60% VO2PEAK, Intervals 85–95% VO2PEAK, 40% VO2PEAK rest, 30% cool down Treadmill

relV̇O2PEAK

6MWT

TUG

STS

SRT

relV̇O2PEAK

HIIT: +0.9 (range 0–1.7)

UC: −0.5 (range −1.4–0.4),

HIIT vs. UC: 1.6 (CI: 0.3–2.9) (p=0.01)

6MWT:

HIIT: +27m (CI 12–41)

UC: +6m (CI −10–22)

HIIT vs. UC: 20m (CI −2–41) (p=0.072)

TUG

HIIT: +−0s (CI −0.2 to 0.2)

UC: −0.3s (CI −1.5 to 0.7)

HIIT vs. UC: 0.6s (CI −0.4 to 1.7) (p=0.22)

STS

HIIT: +1 reps (CI 0 to 3)

UC: +−0 reps (CI 0 to 2)

HIIT vs. UC: + 1 reps (CI 0 to 3) (p=0.15)

SRT

HIIT: +2.7cm (CI −1.1 to 6.4)

UC: −2.8cm (CI −5.6 to −0.1)

HIIT vs. UC: 4.8 (CI 0.2 to 9.4) (p=0.042)

Karenovics et al., 2017 [57]

n=151

64 ± 12 years

Lung cancer, preoperative before lung resection I–IIIA

Group 1: HIIT (n=74)

Group 2: CG (n=77)

3.5 3

Group 1:

5min warm up, 2 × 20 × 15s, rest 15s, rest in between 4min, 5min cool down

Group 1:

Warm up at 50% WPEAK, intervals all out at 100% WPEAK

Pause: passive resting, cool down 30% WPEAK

Cycling ergometer relV̇O2PEAK

Group 1: +1.2ml O2/kg/min

Group 2: −1.3ml O2/kg/min

HIIT vs. CG: p=0.06

Lee et al., 2019

[45]

n=30

46.9 ± 9.8 years

Breast cancer, during anthracycline chemotherapy I–III

Group 1: HIIT (n=15)

Group 2: CG (n=15)

8 3

Group 1:

30min total, 7×60s

Rest, 2min active recovery

Group 2:

current level of physical activity

Group 1:

Intervals at: 90% PPO (highest

power output generated during a maximal cycling)

Pause: 10% PPO

Cycling ergometer V̇O2MAX

Group 1: 19.7±8.7 to 19.4±6.6ml/kg/min (p=0.94)

Group 2: 18.7±7.1 to 16.1±6.0ml/kg/min (p=0.001)

Lee et al., 2021 [83]

n=30

46.9 ± 9.8 years

Breast cancer, during anthracycline chemotherapy NI

Group 1: HIIT (n=15)

Group 2: CG (n=15)

8 3

Group 1:

30min total, 7×60s

Rest, 2min active recovery

Group 2:

current level of physical activity

Group 1:

Intervals at: 90% PPO (highest

power output generated during a maximal cycling)

Pause: 10% PPO

Cycling ergometer

6MWT

TUG

STS

MKST

6MWT

HIIT: +51m (p=0.05)

CG: −6.59m (p=0.95)

HIIT vs. CG: p=0.008

STS

HIIT: +0.14 reps/30s (p=0.55)

CG: −0.37 reps/30s (p=0.29)

HIIT vs. CG: p=0.39

TUG

HIIT: +0.06s (p=0.62)

CG: +0.25s (p=0.28)

HIIT vs. CG: p=0.52

MKST

HIIT: 0.13s (p=0.12)

CG: +0.32s (p=0.20)

HIIT vs. CG: p=0.013

Licker et al., 2017

[58]

n=151

64 ± 12 years

Lung cancer, preoperative before lung resection I–IIIA

Group 1: HIIT (n=74)

Group 2: CG (n=77)

3.5 3

Group 1:

5min warm up, 2 × 20 × 15s, rest 15s, rest in between 4min, 5min cool down

Group 1:

Warm up at 50% WPEAK, intervals all out at 100% WPEAK

Pause: passive resting, cool down 30% WPEAK

Cycling ergometer

relV̇O2PEAK

6MWT

relV̇O2PEAK

Group 1: +2.9ml O2/kg/min, MED +14% (p=0.04)

6MWT Group 1: MED +15% (p=<0.001)

relV̇O2PEAK

Group 2 −1.5ml O2/kg/min (MED −8%) (p=0.005)

relV̇O2PEAK HIIT vs. CG: p=0.004

6MWT HIIT vs. CG: p=0.001

Minnella et al., 2020 [53]*

n=42

64.5 ± 11.2 years

Colorectal cancer, preoperative I-III

Group 1: HIIT (n=21)

Group 2: MICT (n=21)

4 3

Group 1: 30min total, 5min warm up, 4×2min intervals alternated with 4×3min intervals, 5min cool down

Group 2: 5min warm up, 30min continuous, 5min cool down

Group 1: 4×2min (85–90% peak power), 4×3min (80–85% PAT)

Group 2: 80–85 PAT

Cycling ergometer relV̇O2PEAK, 6MWT

Group 1: +1.95 (0.71–3.19) ml/kg/min (p=0.0049), +12.55m (range −7.83–32.92)

Group 2: +0.45 (range −0.71–1.6) ml/kg/min (p=0.412), +18.07m (range −1.36–37.51)

relV̇O2PEAK HIIT vs. MICT (p=0.08)

6MWT HIIT vs. MICT (p=0.696)

Northey et al., 2019 [82]*

n=17

62.9 ± 7.8 years

Breast cancer, ≤24 months post diagnosis I–III

Group 1: HIIT (n=6)

Group 2: MOD (n=5)

Group 3: CG (n=6)

12 3

Group 1: 20–30min (5min warm up, 5min cool down, 4–7×30s, rest 2min

Group 2: 2min continuous

Group 3: maintaining current lifestyle

Group 1: warm up at ≤50% PP, ≥90% HRMAX after interval 4

Group 2: 55–65% PP

Cycling ergometer relV̇O2PEAK

Group 1: VO2peak +10.3% (p<0.05)

Group 2: VO2peak +5.6% (p>p.05)

Group 3: VO2peak −2.6%,

HIIT vs. MOD (d=0.19), HIIT vs. CG (d=1.28),

MOD vs. CG (d=0.72)

Ochi et al., 2022 [84]

n=44

20–59 years

Breast cancer I–IIA

Group 1: HIIT (n=21)

Group 2: CG (n=23)

12 3

Group 1: 8×20s exercises, e.g., squat, lunges (no further information), 10s rest, 10min/workout (3min warm up, 4min training, 3min cool down), wearable to monitor physical activity

Group 2: wearable to monitor physical activity, no further instructions

RPE 16–20 Home-based body weight exercises

relV̇O2PEAK

6MWT

GS

CST

relV̇O2PEAK:

HIIT: +0.9±1.7 ml/kg/min

CG: −0.8±1.6 ml/kg/min

HIIT vs. CG: 1.7 (range 0.7–2.7 (ES=1.06; p<0.01)

6MWT

HIIT: +30±30m

CG: 29±40m

HIIT vs. CG: 1 (CI −21–23m) (ES=0.26; p=0.93)

GS

HIIT: +0.8kg

CG: +0.4kg

HIIT vs. CG: 0.4 (CI −0.9 to 1.6) (ES=0.26; p=0.53)

STS

HIIT: −0.9s

CG: −0.4s

HIIT vs. CG: −0.5 (CI −1.9 to 0.9) (ES=−0.21; p=0.50)

Piraux et al., 2021 [85]

n=72

69.1 ± 8.2 years

Prostate cancer, undergoing radiotherapy KA

Group 1: HIIT (n=24)

Group 2: resistance training (n=24)

Group 3: UC (n=24)

5–8 3

Group 1: total 26–40min, 5min warm up 8–15×60s, 1min rest, 5min cool down

Group 2: total 30min, 3×8–12 repetitions (targeting 8 major muscle groups with body weight, resistance bands, dumbbells)

Group 1: Warm up at 65–70% HRMAX, intervals at ≥85% HRMAX, rest at 65–70% HRMAX, cool down at 65–70% HRMAX Cycling ergometer 6MWT

Compared to Group 3 (UC):

Group 1: +7.5% (p=0.043)

Group 2: +6.6% (p=0.042)

Piraux et al., 2022 [86]

n=18

MED: 62 (59.8–68.8) years

Rectal cancer, undergoing chemo radiotherapy II–III

Group 1: HIIT (n=6)

Group 2: resistance training (n=6)

Group 3: UC (n=6)

5 3

Group 1: total 26–40min, 5min warm up 8–15×60s, 1min rest, 5min cool down

Group 2: total 30min, 1–3×8–12 repetitions (targeting 8 major muscle groups with body weight, resistance bands, dumbbells)

Group 1: Warm up at 65–70% HRMAX, intervals at ≥85% HRMAX, rest at 65–70% HRMAX, cool down at 65–70% HRMAX Cycling ergometer 6MWT

Group 1: +27.5m (+2.5%)

Group 2: +24.5m (+4.2%)

Group 3: +35m (+9.9%)

Group 1 vs. group 2 vs. group 3 differences (p>0.05)

Reljic et al., 2022 [48]

n=27

55.4 ± 13.2 years

Different advanced cancers: colon/rectum (n=6), stomach (n=5), melanoma (n=3), liver (n=2), pancreas (n=1), esophagus (n=2), ovary (n=4), myelom (n=2), breast (n=2), lung (n=1)

Ongoing anticancer therapy

III, predominantly IV

Group 1: HIIT (n=13)

Group 2 (n=14): light physical mobilization exercises with electric stimulation below threshold that triggers a muscle contraction

12 2

Group 1: total 14min, 2min warm up, 5×1min intervals, rest 1min, 3min cool down

Group 2: total 20min

Group 1: intervals at 80–95% HRPEAK, incrementally increasing

Group 2: trunk flexion and extension, partial squats, butterfly movement, pull down movement

Cycling ergometer relV̇O2PEAK

Group 1: +3.0ml/kg/min (p<0.001)

Group 2: −0.9ml/kg/min

Samhan et al., 2021 [88]

n=60

Group 1: 49.7 ± 8.9 years

Group 2: 48.9 ± 7.7 years

Breast cancer, overweight or obese patients, various ongoing therapy protocols: surgery (n=20), surgery+chemotherapy (n=25), surgery+radiotherapy (n=5), surgery+radiotherapy+chemotherapy (n=7), radiotherapy+chemotherapy (n=3) I–III

Group 1: HIIT (n=30)

Group 2: CON (n=30)

8 3

Group 1: 5min warm up, 4×4min intervals, 3min rest, 5min cool down

Group 2: maintaining their daily routines, do not participate in any structured exercise program

Group 1: Warm up at 50–70% HRMAX, intervals at 75–90% HRMAX, rest at 50–60% HRMAX Treadmill relV̇O2PEAK

Group 1: +3.77ml/kg/min

(p=0.002)

Group 2: −0.5 ml/kg/min

Schmitt et al., 2016

[75]*

n=28

53.5 ± 9 years

Different cancer types, predominantly breast cancer, time since diagnosis 14±20 months NI

Group 1: HIIT (n=14)

Group 2: MICT (n=14)

3 3

Group 1: 5min Warm up, 8×60s fast walking, rest 2min slow walking

Group 2: 60min walking outdoor + 15min indoor cycling 75min

Group 1: Warm up at 70% HRMAX, intervals at >95% HRPEAK

Group 2:

60% HRPEAK

Group 1: (walking outdoor, incline)

Group 2 (outdoor, cycling ergometer)

relV̇O2PEAK

Group 1: 27.1±7.9 to 27.0±7.3 mlO2/kg/min (p=0.42)

Group 2: 23.8±5.0 to 26.3±5.6 mlO2/kg/min (p<0.05)

HIIT vs. MICT: p=0.01

Toohey et al., 2016

[76]*

n=16

52 ± 13 years

Various cancer types, cancer survivors <24 months after diagnosis after acute side effects due to cancer therapy NI

Group 1: HIIT (n=8)

Group 2: MICT (n=8)

12 3

Group 1: 5min warm up, 7×30s, rest 60s, 5min cool down

Group 2:

5min warm up, 20min, 5min cool down

Group 1:

Intervals ≥ 85% HRMAX

Group 2: ≤ 55% HRMAX

Cycling ergometer or treadmill

6MWT

STS (time for 5 reps)

6MWT

HIIT: 502.8±148.5 to 577.6±102.5m (18.53%) (p<0.05)

MICT: 520.9±74.3 to 530.6±107.8m (1.16%)

HIIT vs. MICT: partial eta2=0.5)

STS

HIIT: −6.39%

MICT: −23.46%

HIIT vs. MICT: partial eta2=0.06)

Toohey et al., 2018 [71]

n=75

51 ± 12 years

Various cancer types, cancer survivors <24 months after diagnosis NI

Group 1: HIIT (n=25)

Group 2: MICT(n=25)

Group 3: CG (n=25)

12 3

Group 1: 5min warm up, 7×30s, rest 60s, 5min cool down

Group 2:

5min warm up, 20min, 5min cool down

Group 1: ≥ 85% HRMAX

Group 2:

≤ 55% HRMAX

Cycling ergometer

6MWT

STS (time for 5 reps)

6MWT

HIIT: 510.7±114.9 to 607.7±85.5m (p<0.01, d=0.97)

MICT: 483.1±72.3 to 518.6±94.5) (d=0.17)

CG: 494.2±128.7 to 477.7±127.1 (d=−0.13)

STS

HIIT: 10.1±2.8 to 8.1±2.1 (d=−0.83)

MICT: 10.6±2.8 to 9.2±2.0 (d=−0.59)

CG: 9.6±2.3 to 10.49±2.7 (d=0.36)

Toohey et al., 2020

[77]

n=17

62 ± 8 years

Breast cancer, cancer survivors <24 months after cancer treatment NI

Group 1: HIIT (n=6)

Group 2: MICT (n=5)

Group 3: CG (n=6)

12 3

Group 1:

7×30s, rest 2min active recovery

Group 2:

5min warm up, 20min, 5min cool down

Group 1:

WMAX

Group 2:

55–65% WMAX, adjusted during intervention, RPE 9–13

Cycling ergometer relV̇O2PEAK

Group 1: 19.52 to 23.29 mlO2/kg/min (19.31%) (p=0.01)

Group 2: 20.74 to 21.9 mlO2/kg/min (5.6%)

Group 3: 20.9 to 20.36 mlO2/kg/min (−2.6%)

Wood et al., 2020 [87]

n=16

MED: 52 years (34–72)

Different types of leukemia, lymphona, myeloma

Before allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation

NI

Group 1 (HIIT: n=6)

Group 2: CG (n=10)

5–12 (week 3–12 included HIIT) 3–4

Group 1: 30min total, 5min warm up, 5×2min Intervals, rest 3min, wearables with goal to increase average steps/week

Group 2: received no further instructions, also received wearables

Group 1: Intervals at ≥80% HRMAX Home-based or local training resources: walking, jogging, running, cycling, elliptical, or stair climbing

relV̇O2PEAK

6MWT

Results after MED 8.5 weeks

relV̇O2PEAK Group 1: +0.4ml/kg/min

Group 2:

+1.2ml/kg/min

6MWT: Group 1: +5.3m

Group 2: −34.2m

*Studies included in meta-analysis; HIIT high-intensity interval training, MICT moderate intense continuous training, CG control group, UC usual care, MED median, MD mean difference, CI confidence interval, ES effect size, relV̇O2PEAK relative peak oxygen uptake, NI no information, PPO peak power output, PP peak power, HRR heart rate reserve, RPE rate of perceived exertion, 6MWT 6min walk test, STS sit to stand test, TUG timed up and go test, MKST Margaria-Kalamen stair test, SRT sit and reach test, GS grip strength, CST chair stand test