Aerobic exercise training combined with local strength exercise restores muscle blood flow and maximal aerobic capacity in long-term Hodgkin lymphoma survivors

It is unclear whether muscle blood flow (MBF) is altered in long-term Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) survivors. We tested the hypothesis that 1) MBF response during mental stress (MS) is impaired in long-term HL survivors and 2) aerobic exercise training combined with local strength exercise (ET) restores MBF responses during MS in these survivors. Eighteen 5-year HL survivors and 10 aged-paired healthy subjects (HC) were studied. Twenty HL survivors were randomly divided into two groups: exercise-trained (HLT, n = 10) and untrained (HLUT, n = 10). Maximal aerobic capacity was evaluated by a cardiopulmonary exercise test and forearm blood flow (FBF) by venous occlusion plethysmography. MS was elicited by Stroop color and word test. ET was conducted for 4 mo, 3/wk for 60 min each session. The aerobic exercise intensity corresponded to anaerobic threshold up to 10% below the respiratory compensation point. The strength exercises consisted of two to three sets of chest press, pulley and squat exercises, 12-15 repetitions each exercise at 30-50% of the maximal voluntary contraction. Baseline was similar in HL survivors and HC, except peak oxygen consumption (peak Vo(2), P = 0.013) and FBF (P = 0.006) that were lower in the HL survivors. FBF responses during MS were lower in HL survivors (P < 0.001). ET increased peak Vo(2 )(11.59 +/- 3.07%, P = 0.002) and FBF at rest (33.74 +/- 5.13%, P < 0.001) and during MS (24 +/- 5.31%, P = 0.001). Further analysis showed correlation between the changes in peak Vo(2) and the changes in FBF during MS (r = 0.711, P = 0.001). In conclusion, long-term HL survivors have impaired MBF responses during MS. ET restores MBF responses during MS.