Effects of aerobic training on cancer treatment tolerability in rectal cancer patients

Dose-response of aerobic training during total neoadjuvant therapy for locally advanced rectal cancer

NIH-funded research Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research · NIH-11056086

This study is looking at how different amounts of aerobic exercise can help people with locally advanced rectal cancer feel better and handle their treatment more easily, and it’s designed for patients who are about to start their cancer therapy.

Quick facts

Grant typeU01 cooperative agreement
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionSloan-Kettering Inst Can Research NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project IDNIH-11056086 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how different amounts of aerobic training can affect the ability of patients with locally advanced rectal cancer to tolerate their cancer treatment. Patients will be randomly assigned to one of three groups, each receiving varying levels of aerobic exercise over approximately 32 weeks, starting before their treatment and continuing until just before surgery. The study aims to determine if increased aerobic activity can improve physical and psychological outcomes during total neoadjuvant therapy. By focusing on a specific cancer type and treatment regimen, the research seeks to fill a critical gap in understanding the role of exercise in cancer care.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are inactive adults diagnosed with locally advanced rectal cancer who are about to begin total neoadjuvant therapy.

Not a fit: Patients who are already highly active or those with advanced cancer stages not eligible for total neoadjuvant therapy may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could help improve the tolerability of cancer treatments, leading to better patient outcomes and potentially higher completion rates of prescribed therapies.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that aerobic training can improve treatment tolerability in various cancer populations, suggesting a promising avenue for this specific investigation.

Where this research is happening

New York, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions anti-cancer therapy
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.