Physical exercise as a potential adjuvant therapy: effects on inflammation and nutrition in colorectal cancer patients—a systematic review and meta-analysis

IntroductionThis meta-analysis aimed to reveal the effects of exercise training on markers of inflammation and indicators of nutrition in colorectal cancer patients.MethodsWe systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Knowledge for randomized controlled trials (published between 1...

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Main Authors: Hui Zhang, Ying Zhang, Feifei Luo, Yixin Wen, Jiang Ni, Jing Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-06-01
Series:Frontiers in Nutrition
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1612674/full
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author Hui Zhang
Ying Zhang
Feifei Luo
Yixin Wen
Jiang Ni
Jing Wang
author_facet Hui Zhang
Ying Zhang
Feifei Luo
Yixin Wen
Jiang Ni
Jing Wang
author_sort Hui Zhang
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionThis meta-analysis aimed to reveal the effects of exercise training on markers of inflammation and indicators of nutrition in colorectal cancer patients.MethodsWe systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Knowledge for randomized controlled trials (published between 1 January 1945 and 17 June 2024). Our main outcomes were nutritional status and markers of inflammation analyzed using a random-effects model.ResultsOf the 3,081 identified studies, 15 were eligible and were included in our analysis (N = 996 participants). Compared with the usual care, physical exercise reduced C-reactive protein by a mean of −0.33 mg/dL (95% CI −0.62 to −0.04) in colorectal cancer patients. Similarly, body fat decreased by a mean of −1.36% (95% CI −2.52 to −0.99) after physical exercise. However, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and waist circumference were not different between patients who received physical exercise and those who received usual care. Subgroup analyses revealed that exercise duration ≤12 weeks was effective in decreasing body mass index of −0.59 kg/m2 (95% CI −1.15 to −0.02) and body weight of −3.12 kg (95% CI -4.66 to −1.58). In addition, body mass index (p = 0.005) and body weight (p = 0.03) were decreased in patients who combined aerobic exercise and resistance exercise.ConclusionOverall, these findings suggest that physical exercise may improve inflammation status and enhance weight loss in CRC patients.Systematic review registrationNumber CRD 42024536976.
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spelling doaj-art-c242f093e19945a99f6c90eecb840d0a2025-08-20T03:27:56ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Nutrition2296-861X2025-06-011210.3389/fnut.2025.16126741612674Physical exercise as a potential adjuvant therapy: effects on inflammation and nutrition in colorectal cancer patients—a systematic review and meta-analysisHui Zhang0Ying Zhang1Feifei Luo2Yixin Wen3Jiang Ni4Jing Wang5Department of General Surgery, The Fifth Hospital of Wuhan, Wuhan, ChinaDepartment of Nephrology, The Fifth Hospital of Wuhan, Wuhan, ChinaDepartment of Cardiac Function, Wuhan Fourth Hospital, Wuhan, ChinaDepartment of Orthopaedics, The Fifth Hospital of Wuhan, Wuhan, ChinaDepartment of Nutrition, The Fifth Hospital of Wuhan, Wuhan, ChinaDepartment of Nutrition, The Fifth Hospital of Wuhan, Wuhan, ChinaIntroductionThis meta-analysis aimed to reveal the effects of exercise training on markers of inflammation and indicators of nutrition in colorectal cancer patients.MethodsWe systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Knowledge for randomized controlled trials (published between 1 January 1945 and 17 June 2024). Our main outcomes were nutritional status and markers of inflammation analyzed using a random-effects model.ResultsOf the 3,081 identified studies, 15 were eligible and were included in our analysis (N = 996 participants). Compared with the usual care, physical exercise reduced C-reactive protein by a mean of −0.33 mg/dL (95% CI −0.62 to −0.04) in colorectal cancer patients. Similarly, body fat decreased by a mean of −1.36% (95% CI −2.52 to −0.99) after physical exercise. However, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and waist circumference were not different between patients who received physical exercise and those who received usual care. Subgroup analyses revealed that exercise duration ≤12 weeks was effective in decreasing body mass index of −0.59 kg/m2 (95% CI −1.15 to −0.02) and body weight of −3.12 kg (95% CI -4.66 to −1.58). In addition, body mass index (p = 0.005) and body weight (p = 0.03) were decreased in patients who combined aerobic exercise and resistance exercise.ConclusionOverall, these findings suggest that physical exercise may improve inflammation status and enhance weight loss in CRC patients.Systematic review registrationNumber CRD 42024536976.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1612674/fullcolorectal cancerphysical exercisesnutritional statusmarkers of inflammationobesity
spellingShingle Hui Zhang
Ying Zhang
Feifei Luo
Yixin Wen
Jiang Ni
Jing Wang
Physical exercise as a potential adjuvant therapy: effects on inflammation and nutrition in colorectal cancer patients—a systematic review and meta-analysis
Frontiers in Nutrition
colorectal cancer
physical exercises
nutritional status
markers of inflammation
obesity
title Physical exercise as a potential adjuvant therapy: effects on inflammation and nutrition in colorectal cancer patients—a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_full Physical exercise as a potential adjuvant therapy: effects on inflammation and nutrition in colorectal cancer patients—a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_fullStr Physical exercise as a potential adjuvant therapy: effects on inflammation and nutrition in colorectal cancer patients—a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_full_unstemmed Physical exercise as a potential adjuvant therapy: effects on inflammation and nutrition in colorectal cancer patients—a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_short Physical exercise as a potential adjuvant therapy: effects on inflammation and nutrition in colorectal cancer patients—a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_sort physical exercise as a potential adjuvant therapy effects on inflammation and nutrition in colorectal cancer patients a systematic review and meta analysis
topic colorectal cancer
physical exercises
nutritional status
markers of inflammation
obesity
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1612674/full
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