Welcome to PREP
We are here to provide support and resources tailored to men with prostate cancer. Our mission is to empower men with the tools and guidance they need to maintain physical wellness and emotional strength throughout their cancer journey.
Join us in our commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of men with prostate cancer.
About the Creator of PREP
Heath Prentice has designed the Prostate Exercise Rehabilitation Program (PREP) to help men with prostate cancer prevent and recover from many symptoms of prostate cancer treatments. He is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) and completed an undergraduate degree in Science, Exercise and Health Science at the University of Western Australia. Once completing his undergraduate degree Heath then chose to undertake a Graduate Diploma in Exercise Rehabilitation at the University of Western Australia to become an AEP.
Upon graduating Heath began working at PROST! Men's Health Exercise for Prostate Cancer, where he has been the head Exercise Physiologist since 2013. Working in the face to face delivery of exercise for men with prostate cancer has given Heath a profound understanding of the side effects of all prostate cancer treatments and the best exercises to help combat side effects such as incontinence, erectile dysfunction, fatigue and loss of muscle mass.
Through PROST! Heath has developed detailed knowledge of pelvic floor muscles and how to most effectively train them. Heath is also a certified Pilates instructor and has discovered that combining principles of Pilates with strength based exercises can help men successfully engage the correct muscles and recover from prostate cancer side effects.
Having worked with dozens of men with prostate cancer over the years Heath would now like to share his knowledge and help as many men recover from prostate cancer as possible. He has seen the benefits of pelvic floor specific and generalised strength training firsthand and his vision is for every man with prostate cancer to engage in regular exercise that has been created specifically for them.
The pelvic floor is situated at the base of the pelvis and is made up of 3 muscle layers. These muscles are stretched out like a hammock and support the bladder, prostate gland and rectum.
The pelvic floor muscles have numerous functions including:
Regulating Incontinence
Sexual function and stimulation
Plays a key role in core stability
Our Approach
The Prostate Rehabilitation Exercise Program (PREP) has been created for males who have been diagnosed with Prostate Cancer. PREP prescribes exercises that are specifically targeted to assist with the rehabilitation of common side effects of prostate cancer treatments, particularly urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction.
Research studies into the effects of pelvic floor training have shown that specific pelvic floor exercises are an effective rehabilitation strategy to reduce incontinence (Baumann et al. 2011). Studies have also suggested that pelvic floor training assists with erectile dysfunction and a randomised control study revealed that specific pelvic floor muscle exercises were significant in improving erectile function (Dorey et al. 2005). There is also evidence which shows that performing pelvic floor exercises before surgery can decrease the severity of incontinence and erectile dysfunction post-operatively.
There are other common side effects from many prostate cancer treatments (including hormone therapies, surgery etc.) such as loss of bone density, weight gain, osteoporosis, decreased muscle mass and fatigue. All of these side effects can all be reduced and/or prevented by performing regular cardiovascular and resistance based exercise, which is a strong focus of the PREP. Aside from the specific side effects from prostate cancer treatments, engaging in regular exercise helps improve general quality of life and mental health.
PREP KITS
Contain:
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Comprehensive 20 Week Exercise Manual
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Exercise Ball and Pump
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Resistance Bands
TYPICAL PAGE EXERT
