Not yet recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Exploring Resistance Exercise Training Plus High-Intensity Interval Training (ReHIIT) as Cancer Prehabilitation

This study explores a new exercise programme called ReHIIT, which combines resistance (strength) training with high-intensity interval training (short bursts of intense exercise). Researchers are testing this programme with healthy adult volunteers. The goal is to see how their bodies respond to ReHIIT and understand the normal physical changes that occur. This information is important because bowel cancer is common, and exercise before surgery can help patients recover better. However, there's often little time between diagnosis and surgery. We want to find the most effective and time-efficient exercise methods. The findings from healthy adults will help us compare and develop better exercise plans for people with cancer, helping them prepare for treatment and improve their quality of life.

At a glance

Status

Not yet recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University of Nottingham

Enrolment target

Start

01 Jan 2026

Estimated completion

01 Dec 2027

Healthy Adult Male and Female Volunteers Intervention

What is this study about?

Bowel cancer is a common type of cancer in the UK, and surgery is often a key part of treatment. Preparing your body for surgery with exercise, sometimes called prehabilitation, can really help you recover better and get back to your normal activities sooner. However, there's often only a short time between being diagnosed with cancer and having surgery, which makes it tricky to fit in enough exercise.

Researchers are very interested in how different types of exercise can help people get ready for surgery. We know that being fitter, especially having good heart and lung health and strong muscles, can lead to better results after surgery. This study is looking at a new exercise approach called ReHIIT, which stands for Resistance Exercise Training Plus High-Intensity Interval Training. This combines strength-building exercises with short, intense bursts of activity, which might give bigger benefits in a shorter amount of time.

This particular study is focusing on healthy adults first. The main reason for this is to understand how a normal, healthy body responds to the ReHIIT programme. By establishing these 'normal' responses, we can then compare them to what happens in people with cancer in future studies. This will help us learn the best ways to use exercise to help bowel cancer patients recover well from surgery and improve their overall health.

Key takeaways

This study evaluates a new exercise programme (ReHIIT) for potential use before cancer surgery.
It combines strength training with short bursts of intense exercise.
The research is initially focused on healthy adults to understand normal body responses.
Improved fitness before surgery can help cancer patients recover better.
Researchers aim to find the most effective exercise methods in limited timeframes.
Participation involves exercise sessions and fitness assessments at Royal Derby Hospital.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to be a healthy adult who is willing to give your informed consent. You must also be able to come to the Royal Derby Hospital for at least 8 exercise sessions and 2 assessment visits during the study.

There are several reasons why you might not be able to take part. For example, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have certain health conditions. These include being very underweight or overweight (BMI outside a specific range), having active cancer or metabolic diseases like diabetes, or conditions affecting your brain, nerves, or muscles (like epilepsy).

Also, if you have certain heart or lung conditions (like uncontrolled high blood pressure, recent heart attack, severe heart failure, or severe lung disease like COPD), or if you've had a stroke, you won't be able to join. We also need to make sure your heart function is suitable for the exercise tests, and you shouldn't have any known blood clotting disorders or a family history of severe bleeding.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you a healthy adult?
Can you commit to attending appointments at Royal Derby Hospital?
Do you have a healthy weight (not extremely underweight or overweight)?
Do you have any serious heart, lung, brain, or muscle conditions?
Are you pregnant or breastfeeding?
Do you have any known blood clotting problems or a strong family history of bleeding issues?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you will be asked to attend the Royal Derby Hospital for a total of 8 exercise sessions and 2 assessment sessions. These sessions will be spread out over the study period. During the exercise sessions, you will be doing the ReHIIT programme, which involves a combination of strength training and short, intense bursts of activity. The assessment sessions will likely involve tests to check your fitness and how your body responds to exercise. The exact total duration of your participation will be explained in detail by the study team.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study might offer some potential benefits, such as improving your fitness and strength. There are also some potential risks associated with exercise, especially high-intensity activities, including muscle soreness, fatigue, or in rare cases, more serious issues like injury due to overexertion. All exercises will be supervised by trained professionals to minimise these risks. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Medical School, University of Nottingham, Royal Derby Hospital
Verified postcode
Derby, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is 'prehabilitation'?

Prehabilitation means preparing your body for a medical treatment, like surgery, often through exercise, to help you recover better.

What is ReHIIT exercise?

ReHIIT combines two types of exercise: resistance (strength) training to build muscles, and high-intensity interval training, which involves short, intense bursts of activity with rest periods.

Why are you studying healthy adults instead of cancer patients?

By studying healthy adults first, we can understand the normal effects of ReHIIT. This helps us design better exercise plans for cancer patients in future studies.

Will I get paid for taking part?

The information provided doesn't mention payment, but you should ask the study team about any expenses or inconvenience allowances.

What kind of tests will I have?

You will have assessment sessions, which likely include fitness tests to understand how your body responds to the exercise programme.

How to find out more

Tyler J Daubrah-Scott, MRes, BSc (Hons)

tyler.daubrah-scott@nottingham.ac.uk 01332 724676 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.