Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Recruiting

NCT Number: NCT03750981

C.A.P.A.B.L.E. (CrossFit® and Physical Activity: A Better Life Experience)

This study will introduce cancer survivors to cross-training with the expectation that the program proposed will ultimately result in superior improvements in functional performance, body composition and quality of life compared with the current American Cancer Society (ACS) guidelines for cancer survivors.

Recruiting

Interested in participating?

Request Info

Key information

Conditions

Cancer Survivors

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute

Detroit, Michigan, 48201, United States

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Tara Baird

CONTACT

[email protected]

(313) 578-4246

About this study

A 12-week pilot intervention study introducing a high-intensity functional training program to 100 cancer survivors and evaluate the effects of this program on patient quality of life, functional capacity, and body composition. Response rates will be determined using various recruitment methods and estimate differences in response rates by patient characteristics including race, gender and age. Barriers to participation in the program in contacted patients who do not enroll as well as patients who enroll and do not complete the program will be described, as will participant satisfaction with enrolled participants who complete the program. The goal of this pilot study is to help refine the recruitment and program methods for a larger intervention study to test the superiority of a high-intensity interval functional training program compared with current American Cancer Society guidelines in improving functional capacity, body composition and patient reported quality of life.

Surveys will be completed by each participant weekly and physical assessments will be completed monthly.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Aged 18 years or older at time of program recruitment
  • Diagnosed with any cancer
  • Cleared from their physician to participate in the program (We assume that most patients will have completed treatment, however if a patient is currently under treatment, this should be their oncologist. If the patient is not currently undergoing treatment, this could be primary care physician or oncologist).
  • Available transportation to and from the facility on session days

Exclusion criteria

  • Widely metastatic cancers to the brain or bone may be excluded.
  • Patients using mobility assistance devices may be excluded. Exclusionary criteria will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and patients with these limitations may be included with approval from Dr. Beebe-Dimmer and the referring physician.

Treatment and study plan

12 week pilot intervention study.

Behavioral

Participants will begin a 12-week high-intensity functional training program conducted at CrossFit® in the D, located in downtown Detroit, Northville Athletix in Northville and Five Lakes CrossFit® in Farmington Hills.

Primary outcomes

  1. Enrollment rates

    Time frame: Baseline

    Enrollment rates will be calculated among those who respond to notices about the study and adherence to the program among those who enroll and to describe reported barriers to participation among respondents who do not ultimately enroll

  2. Change in functional performance and variability in functional performance among adult cancer survivors enrolled in a high-intensity functional training program

    Time frame: Baseline to 12 weeks

    Physical measures of strength will be assessed by a certified trainer. To assess strength improvements deadlifts (lifting weights from floor to waist) will be performed in 10 lb. increments. A circuit will also be done with strength measures including sit ups and push ups.

  3. Change in functional performance and variability in functional performance among adult cancer survivors enrolled in a high-intensity functional training program

    Time frame: Baseline to 12 weeks

    Physical measures of flexibility will be assessed by a certified trainer. To assess flexibility sit ups, squats and push up level (floor, knees, on an elevated bar, etc) will be recorded.

  4. Change in functional performance and variability in functional performance among adult cancer survivors enrolled in a high-intensity functional training program

    Time frame: Baseline to 12 weeks

    Physical measures of cardiovascular strength will be assessed by a certified trainer. To assess cardiovascular strength maximum effort on a stationary bike will be recorded. Additionally, in the circuit, a maximum effort on a rowing machine will be recorded.

  5. Change in self-reported health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and variability using the FACT questionnaire

    Time frame: Baseline to 12 weeks

    Quality of Life will be measured using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy: General (FACT), developed by Dr. David Cella. The FACT-G is 27 items assessing physical, social/ family, emotional and functional well-being. The survey uses a five-point scale from 0 (not at all) to 4 (very much). Scoring the FACT-G is performed through a sum of item scores. Higher scores indicate a better health state.

  6. Change in Body Composition

    Time frame: Baseline to 12 weeks

    Changes in weight in kg

  7. Change in Body Composition

    Time frame: Baseline to 12 weeks

    Changes in body fat percentage

  8. Change in Body Composition

    Time frame: Baseline to 12 weeks

    Changes in visceral fat percentage

  9. Change in Body Composition

    Time frame: Baseline to 12 weeks

    Changes in muscle mass percentage

  10. Change in Body Composition

    Time frame: Baseline to 12 weeks

    Changes in body mass index (BMI) - Weight and height will be combined to report BMI in kg/ m2

  11. Change in Body Composition

    Time frame: Baseline to 12 weeks

    Changes in resting metabolism value

  12. Change in Motivation

    Time frame: Baseline to 12 weeks

    Motivation to exercise will be collected via a survey

  13. Satisfaction with the Program

    Time frame: 12 weeks

    Satisfaction with the program will be collected via a survey

  14. Program Adherence

    Time frame: 12 weeks

    Program adherence will be calculated based on how many sessions each participant attended in the 13 week program, 36 session design.

  15. Height

    Time frame: Baseline

    Height will be collected in meters to use in the calculation of Body Mass Index

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Jennifer B Beebe-Dimmer, MPH, PhD.

CONTACT

[email protected]

(313) 578-4209

Tara Baird, M.Ed.

CONTACT

[email protected]

(313) 578-4246

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Does High-Intensity Functional Training Improve Patient Movement and Quality of Life? A Study of CrossFit® in Cancer Survivors

Acronym: CAPABLE

Important dates

Study start
2018
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2028
First posted
Nov 23, 2018
Registry last updated
Nov 6, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.