Exercise As Intervention in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study is to determine the effects of 16-weeks of exercise training, as measured by aerobic capacity, strength and physical function, and body composition, in patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL). DESIGN: Subjects will have confirmed treatment naïve CLL. Subjects will be assigned to either a 16-week control group (no supervised exercise) or an intervention group of Resistance Training (REx). Before and after the 16-week protocol, patients will undergo several tests including: 1) a maximal cycle ergometer test, 2) Body Composition, 3) Muscle strength, 4) physical activity levels, 5) blood measures (e.g. immune and inflammatory functions). DATA ANALYSES \& SAFETY ISSUES: For outcomes, group change differences from baseline to 16-weeks will be compared with ANCOVA. Resistance training is a very safe exercise modality already studied in other cancer patients. The regular use of vigorous-intensity exercise has been used extensively in exercise training. It will always be respected for each subject's safety tolerance while challenging. HYPOTHESIS: The investigators hypothesize that the protocol will be feasible exercise interventions for people with CLL and will improve health and fitness markers.