GET FIT Prostate: A Randomized Controlled Exercise Trial

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: I. To determine and compare the efficacy of tai ji quan training and strength training in reducing the incidence of falls in prostate cancer survivors on antiandrogen therapy (ADT). SECONDARY OBJECTIVE: I. To determine and compare the efficacy of tai ji quan training and strength training to reduce frailty and dysfunction in prostate cancer survivors on ADT. TERTIARY OBJECTIVE: I. To determine how well the benefits of tai ji quan and strength interventions persist over a 6-month period. EXPLORATORY OBJECTIVE: I. To explore the patterns and predictors of types of men (including host and treatment factors) who benefit most from tai ji quan and strength training. OUTLINE: The study is a 3-group, single-blind, parallel design randomized controlled trial in prostate cancer survivors treated with ADT. Participants in each study group will attend supervised 1-hr classes, 3 days a week for 6 months. ARM 1: Tai ji quan, an integrated exercise routine consisting of 8 purposeful movement forms and a set of therapeutic movements, specifically designed to challenge limits of stability and train gait patterns, as reflected in movements such as upright trunk positioning, displacement of body's center of mass over the weight-bearing leg, and step initiation, locomotion, and termination. ARM 2: Strength training. Participants wear a weighted vest while performing exercises using functional movement patterns that challenge balance by using muscle groups and movement involved in everyday activities (chair rises, 90°squats, side-to-side squats, toe raises, lunges (forward, lateral, backward, walking), multi-directional step ups). ARM 3: Stretching control. Participants in the control group will attend a supervised flexibility program of the same total weekly duration as the experimental arms (e.g., 3, 60-min sessions per week). Control participants will perform a series of whole body stretching exercises, according to the ACSM guidelines for flexibility training, with a focus on developing and maintaining a healthy back. Six Month Follow-Up: Participants will be followed for an additional 6 months after the 6-month supervised intervention stops to track falls (using same monthly report used during intervention phase). Exercise questionnaires to track participation in home or community exercise programs and will be collected at the 9- and 12-month time periods.