Effect of high-intensity interval training on aerobic capacity and fatigue among patients with prostate cancer: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE: This study focused on evaluating whether high-intensity interval training (HIIT) had an effect on aerobic capacity and fatigue among patients with prostate cancer (PCa) and exploring its effect on the immune system of PCa patients. METHODS: To investigate the potential effect of HIIT on patients with prostate cancer, a meta-analysis was carried out. From January 2012 to August 2022, studies that met predefined criteria were searched in the Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and EBSCO databases. Analysis of the standardized mean differences was performed using Review Manager 5.4.1 software with a 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: This review examined a total of 6 articles. There were 215 male patients with PCa involved, and the mean age was 64.4 years. According to the results of the meta-analysis, the HIIT group (n = 63) had greater VO(2peak) (P<0.01) than the control group (CON) (n = 52) (P = 0.30, I(2) = 19% in the heterogeneity test; MD, 1.39 [0.50, 2.27]). Moreover, fatigue was significantly different (P<0.01) between the HIIT (n = 62) and CON (n = 61) groups (P = 0.78, I(2) = 0% in the heterogeneity test; SMD, −0.52 [−0.88, −0.16]). Furthermore, among PCa patients, HIIT showed higher efficacy (P < 0.01) in decreasing PSA than the CON regimen (P=0.22, I(2) = 34% in the heterogeneity test; MD, −1.13 [−1.91, −0.34]). CONCLUSIONS: HIIT improves aerobic capacity, fatigue, and PSA levels among PCa patients but does not significantly affect IL-6 or TNF-α content. Therefore, HIIT may be a novel and potent intervention scheme for PCa patients. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12957-022-02807-8.