CAPABLE classes help cancer survivors find physical potential after diagnosis
The Wayne State University School of Medicine and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute are partnering with Five Lakes CrossFit in Farmington Hills to offer survivors 12 weeks of physical activity classes.
The free classes are provided as part of an exercise program called Cross-Training and Physical Activity: A Better Life Experience, or CAPABLE, which introduces CrossFit to cancer survivors. This session of CAPABLE begins April 7. Previous exercise experience is not necessary to participate.
“Exercising has a large impact on our physical, but also our mental well-being,” said Jennifer Beebe-Dimmer, Ph.D., M.P.H., professor of Oncology for the WSU School of Medicine and leader of the Population Studies and Disparities Research Program and scientific director of the Epidemiology Research Core at Karmanos. “We have seen tremendous success with many cancer survivors participating in CAPABLE. Physical activity benefits our health, even after a cancer diagnosis. The survivors will learn how to incorporate physical activity into their daily lives and build back some muscle they may have lost during their treatments. Participants report being able to do things they couldn’t before taking CAPABLE classes, like picking up their grandkids and carrying groceries in from the car. It’s exciting to see how this program benefits people in many aspects of their lives.”
The American Cancer Society recommends cancer survivors avoid inactivity and resume regular physical activities after a diagnosis as soon as their doctor deems it safe. The society also recommend survivors exercise for 150 to 300 minutes weekly, including strength training.
Dr. Beebe-Dimmer designed CAPABLE to help survivors learn how to meet these exercise and strength-training recommendations and to teach fitness skills they can use well beyond the classes. In June 2023, she and her research team published “The Impact of High Intensity Interval Training in a Diverse Group of Cancer Survivors: CAPABLE, A Pilot Study,” in Preventative Medicine. The study featured outcomes from 48 of the first cancer survivors who participated in CAPABLE.
“CrossFit combines high-intensity interval and strength training. As we take cancer survivors through this training, we look at a host of outcomes – everything from physical fitness and body composition to sleep health and quality of life. We also provide optional nutrition guidance from the Harvard Healthy Plate diet to help participants make the most of their 12 weeks in CAPABLE and build healthy habits to last a lifetime,” Dr. Beebe-Dimmer explained.
The strength and conditioning workouts consist of simple movements performed at scalable levels for each participant. Some participants will lift five-pound weights, while others may find they can lift much more. Some will walk, and others may jog. Each survivor does the same exercise at varied levels to fit their ability and restrictions outlined by their physician.
Participants must be 18 or older, cancer survivors (any type of cancer) and must receive medical clearance from their oncologist or primary care provider.
Classes will run for 12 weeks on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 10:45 a.m. starting April 7 at Five Lakes CrossFit, located at 24269 Indoplex Circle in Farmington Hills.
For questions, contact the CAPABLE team at 313-578-4246 or email CAPABLE@wayne.edu. Visit karmanos.org/CAPABLE for more information.