Strength Training as an Adjunct to the Maintenance of Muscle Mass in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer

• Adilson Domingos dos Reis Filho

  Faculdade FAIPE, Cuiabá/MT, Brazil

• Fernando Tadeu Trevisan Frajacomo

  Instituto Nacional do Câncer, Rio de Janeiro/RJ, Brazil

• Roberto Carlos Vieira Junior

  Universidade do Estado de Mato Grosso, Cáceres/MT, Brazil

• Haracelli Christina Barbosa Alves Leite da Costa

  Hospital de Câncer de Mato Grosso, Cuiabá/MT, Brazil

• James Wilfred Navalta

  University of Nevada, Las Vegas, USA

• Ramires Alsamir Tibana

  Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Cuiabá/MT, Brazil

• Jonato Prestes

  Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília/DF, Brazil

• Fabrício Azevedo Voltarelli

  Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Cuiabá/MT, Brazil

Head and neck cancer (HNC) is one of the most common types of the disease, particularly among men, and is characterized by a high incidence of death. Among the non-pharmacological factors that help in survival and improving quality of life is physical exercise, especially strength training. The purpose of this short communication was to briefly review the literature and present a training proposal for oncology patients with HNC. Evidence is provided that physical exercise, mainly short-term strength (HIIT [High-Intensity Interval Training]) and aerobic training, contributes to increased expectation and quality of life in cancer survivors. After reviewing the current state of literature, we conclude that strength training, by providing maintenance of muscle mass, improves the autonomy and quality of life of oncology patients with HNC.

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