Treated head and neck cancer patients are subject to tissue swelling and scarring, known as lymphedema and fibrosis (LEF). LEF in the head and neck cancer patient occurs in up to 90% of treated patients, is associated with inflammation cells. Aerobic exercise is known to mediate these same inflammatory cells in an anti-inflammatory manner due to chronic adaptation of the cells. The investigators are therefore proposing a prescription exercise study for head and neck cancer patients. This study's primary aim is feasibility and safety. Feasibility of gathering study participant inflammation markers, visible LEF, and patient LEF symptoms will be a secondary aim of the study. Patient will be asked to journal their experience for a qualitative analysis.~Based on the evidence, the aerobic exercise prescription for those who provide informed consent will consist of 10 intervals of intensity, and 10 intervals at rest. Each interval of intensity will be 1 minutes long and each rest period will be 1 minute long, and there will be a five-minute warm-up and five-minute cool down of easy pedaling for a total of 30 minutes. Participants will complete two sessions per week, and there will be at least one business day in between each session, for a total of 10 total exercise sessions. The total study duration will be less than 35 days.~The supervised prescribed HIIE intervention will be performed on a stationary cycle ergometer. A cycle ergometer is preferred for safety reasons since it requires less gross motor coordination than might be required with a treadmill. To assist in establishing safety (primary aim), the study participants heart rate will be continually monitored by a clinician during the exercise, guiding them to keep their heart rate within their specifically calculated 80-95% of their maximum HR during the periods of intensity.~The investigators will compare outcomes at baseline with outcomes at the end of the 5-week study period.
Treated head and neck cancer patients are subject to tissue swelling and scarring, known as lymphedema and fibrosis (LEF). LEF in the head and neck cancer patient occurs in up to 90% of treated patients and is associated with inflammation cells. Aerobic exercise is known to mediate these same inflammatory cells in an anti-inflammatory manner due to chronic adaptation of the cells. The investigators are therefore proposing a prescription exercise study for head and neck cancer patients. This study's primary aim is feasibility and safety of the aerobic exercise prescription. Feasibility of gathering study participant inflammation markers, visible LEF, and patient LEF symptoms will be a secondary aim of the study. Patient will be asked to journal their experience for a qualitative analysis. The prescription aerobic exercise is that of high intensity interval exercise, since this form of exercise can achieve similar or better results to moderate exercise with less time and patient burden. Each exercise session will take place on a cycle ergometer, will be 5 minutes warm up, 5 minutes cool down, and 20 minutes of exercise (1 minute intervals alternated by 1 minute rests x 10 each).