Abstract
Background
This systematic review explores the impact of physical exercise (EX) on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) patients' physical fitness, immunologic, and quality of life outcomes.
Methods
Eligible cohort studies were searched in PubMed and Web of Science up to February 2024 and were included if they involved participants in adult age, with confirmed CLL diagnose, using physical activity protocols with study design helding intervention protocols, clinical trials, or quantitative data reporting.
Results
This review identifies 92 studies, with 6 meeting the inclusion criteria. These studies focus on cardiovascular training combined with resistance training, continuous cardiovascular training, and endurance resistance training, highlighting the importance of EX in CLL patients before treatment, with significant improvements in physical fitness and immunologic parameters. However, none address strength training, which is known as one of the best options to increase muscular mass in physical activity (PA) interventions.
Conclusions
There is a gap in the literature regarding exercise influence on CLL, with small samples of patients in Pilot Study experiments. It is noted that exercise plays a vital role in improving physical fitness and immunologic parameters. But to advise Exercise Professionals on prescribing different modes of exercise, improving compliance with the prescribed exercise program, and determining which intervention in the context of exercise prescription should be used to maximize the benefits resulting from regular practice of EX, more studies are needed to evaluate the impact of PA on the health-related quality of life and life span of the CLL patient.
Systematic review registration:
This review was registered in PROSPERO International prospective register of systematic reviews with ID: CRD42023464877.