The effects of eccentric overload resistance exercise training on muscle mass and strength for people with prostate cancer and chemical castration

The participants will undergo 36 sessions of an accentuated eccentric resistance exercise training protocol planned for 3 × week for approximately 12 weeks. However, this will be tailored to the physical capacity of the participant, so the duration may be prolonged to 18 weeks in order for 36 sessions to be completed if the participant is only capable of performing 2 sessions per week. The participants will perform circuits of 6 exercises (in their order of execution: abdominal crunch, seated row, chest press, lat pulldown, shoulder press, and leg press) using servomotor-driven resistance exercise machines (BioCircuit, TechnoGym, Italy). Before each training session, the participants will warm up by performing a circuit of 6 repetitions in each machine using ~50% of their prescribed resistance for the session. The intensity of the concentric phase will be 40–80% of 1 repetition maximum (maximum weight that can be lifted with one repetition) while the eccentric phase will be 125% of the concentric load. Both the intensity and number of repetitions will vary during the trial. The repetitions will be split into 3 circuits. The time the participant takes to walk from one exercise station to another and assume the correct position will be used as an active rest period between exercises. The resistance training sessions will be at least 48 h apart for each participant to allow for adequate recovery. All sessions will be conducted in small groups of one to five participants under direct supervision by exercise scientists to ensure safety and appropriate exercise technique. A serving of 30 g of whey protein concentrate (Bulk Nutrients, Australia), containing 22.3 g of protein, 1.9 g of fat, and 2.8 g of carbohydrates, will be dissolved in 300 ml of water and given to the participants at the end of each exercise session. The participants will be asked to consume the drink in front of the investigator prior to leaving the facility. All participants will be informed about the allergens of the product (milk, soy, soybean, whey) prior to participation in the study. Adherence to the exercise protocol will be assessed via assessing the adherence to the sessions (the ratio of the total number of training sessions attended to the number scheduled), while dosage will be assessed via calculating the volume prescribed vs performed (sets × repetition × weight(kg). Whey protein will be asked to be consumed after each exercise session in the presence of the investigator, and the dosage will be 30 g (single serve) that will be given to the participant pre-mixed with water by the investigator.