Examining the feasibility and preliminary effects of resistance exercise training and creatine supplementation in individuals treated for colorectal cancer.

Authors

Ciaran M Fairman, Alex M Brooks, Darren G Candow, Kylah E Jackson, Genevieve Bottone, Brett Scott, Kenneth S Anderson, Katie R Hirsch, Thomas D Cardaci, Brandon N VanderVeen, Christine E Blake, Tiejun Zhang, Jiajia Zhang, E Angela Murphy

Published in

PloS one. Volume 21. Issue 7. Pages e0353630. Epub Jul 15, 2026.

Abstract

The purpose of this trial was to assess the feasibility, acceptability and safety of a 10-week hybrid (in-clinic and virtual) resistance exercise training RET program with or without CrM in individuals treated for colorectal cancer.
Twenty-seven participants were randomized to RET plus 5 grams/day of CrM (EXSUPP; n = 13) or 5 grams/day corn-starch maltodextrin placebo (EXPLA; n = 14). RET was performed three times per week. Feasibility was assessed through recruitment, retention and fidelity (percentage of prescribed RET and supplementation completed). Acceptability was evaluated using a 5-point Likert scale, and safety was monitored through adverse event reporting. Secondary outcomes (body composition, muscular strength, physical function) were assessed pre- and post-intervention using baseline-adjusted ANCOVA models and focus group interviews.
Registry-based recruitment identified 1378 potentially eligible individuals and 27 of 410 assessed (6.6%) enrolled, highlighting recruitment challenges. Retention was high (24/27; 88.9%). Adherence to RET and supplementation was strong (both > 85%) with no serious adverse events reported. Participants reported high acceptability for both in person and virtual components. No significant between group differences were observed for secondary outcomes; however, both groups demonstrated modest improvements in muscular strength and short physical performance battery (SPPB) scores.
A hybrid RET program with CrM was feasible, acceptable and well tolerated in individuals with colorectal cancer who were previously treated with chemotherapy.
Hybrid supervised RET is safe, acceptable, and associated with modest improvements in strength and physical function among individuals treated for colorectal cancer. While creatine supplementation did not demonstrate clear additive effects in this pilot trial, further adequately powered studies are warranted. Trial Registration: NCT06420726.

PMID:
42455839
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 16 Jul 2026.

Read full publication at:
Please sign in to see all details.

Stats

1-terrible, 9-excellent. How would you rate this publication? Sign in in to submit your rating.

Post a comment

You need to be signed in to post comments. You can sign in here.

Comments

There are no comments yet.