Strength training and cancer prevention: a systematic review and meta-analysis

• Grant number: 19/26326-6
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): April 01, 2020
• Effective date (End): May 31, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Collective Health - Epidemiology
• Principal researcher: Leandro Fórnias Machado de Rezende
• Grantee: Wilson Guilherme Aparecido Nascimento
• Home Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Physical activity has been associated with lower risk of several types of cancer. However, the type of physical activity and its optimum volume to reduce the risk of cancer is unknown. Recent epidemiological studies has suggested a protective effect of strength training on cancer prevention. This project of scientific iniciation aims to synthesize and evaluate the epidemiological evidence on the association between strength training an cancer incidence and mortality. The associations will be investigated by: (1) type of cancer; (2) type, duration, frequency and intensity of strength training; (3) combined strength training and aerobic physical activity; (4) potential effect modifiers (body mass index and smoking). We will perform a systematic review of epidemiological studies including healthy adults, free from cancer at baseline (cohort studies) that evaluated the association between strength training and cancer incidence and/or cancer mortality. Two investigators will search for original articles in four databases. Selection, data extraction and risk of bias assessment of the studies will be performed. We will perform a meta-analysis to synthesize the studies’ results. Heterogeneity between studies and evidence of publication bias will be investigated. We hope this study will contribute to debate on the potential protective effect of strength training on cancer prevention. Results will be presented in scientific conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

NASCIMENTO, WILSON; FERRARI, GERSON; MARTINS, CAMILA BERTINI; REY-LOPEZ, JUAN PABLO; IZQUIERDO, MIKEL; LEE, DONG HOON; GIOVANNUCCI, EDWARD L.; REZENDE, LEANDRO F. M. Muscle-strengthening activities and cancer incidence and mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, v. 18, n. 1 MAY 29 2021. Web of Science Citations: 0.