Application of Ergogenic Aids to the Prehabilitation of Abdominal Cancer Patients Undergoing Cancer Surgery

The investigators propose that steps to augment and optimize the effectiveness of prehabilitation interventions for abdominal cancer patients may be found in the field of sport science. The investigators have identified two primary strategies to improve and optimize prehabilitation in patients with abdominal cancer: exercise and nutritional supplementation. A home-based exercise program incorporating both walking and resistance training will be performed with blood flow restriction training (BFR). BFR is a cutting-edge training modality that works by restricting blood flow out of the veins by using compression devices similar to traditional blood pressure cuffs (1). This training modality is frequently used by injured athletes for enhanced recovery (2). Muscle hypertrophy and increased muscle strength are more robust and achievable with BFR, even if exercises are performed at low to moderate intensities (2). Additionally, the implementation of a sports nutrition supplement cocktail, which will be provided simultaneously with the 4-week BFR exercise intervention, was developed to augment the effects of resistance exercise by increasing overall anabolism (3) and to remedy the catabolic state that cancer patients often experience (4). The nutrition supplement cocktail will include whey protein, creatine monohydrate, and L-citrulline.