Muscles Matter with Dr. Holtan and the Masonic Cancer Center

Some people might say “an apple a day keeps the doctor away,” or “laughter is the best medicine.” However, a good old-fashioned workout might just be what the doctor ordered.

A study being conducted by Shernan Holtan, MD, Assistant Professor Medicine at the University of Minnesota Medical School and a Masonic Cancer Center researcher, puts fitness to the test for cancer survivors.

The pilot study includes a personalized 10-week strength training program designed to increase muscle mass. The investigators will test if their training program will lead to improvement in self-efficacy and reduce circulating markers of inflammation and accelerated aging in a cohort of allogeneic hematopoietic transplant (HCT) long-term survivors. Their results will be compared to healthy control participants who are in some way connected to the survivor, either as a spouse, family member, or friend. The study design thus allows for the comparison of results to those who have not undergone HCT, but more importantly, it gives the HCT recipient a built-in workout partner to help keep them motivated.  Exercising is much more fun with a friend!

For more information on the study, go here: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03609203