title: Full-body exercise training improves fitness and quality of life in survivors of breast cancer.
abstract: This study evaluated the safety and effectiveness of an 8-week full-body resistance and aerobic exercise program for 27 survivors of breast cancer (age, 57.7 +/- 7.2 years; years posttreatment, 0.8- 21.0) with prior upper-body conditioning. Physical fitness and quality-of-life (QOL) measures were obtained before and after the training period. Lymphedema, evaluated via arm volume measurement at baseline, was self-monitored throughout the trial. Sum of skinfolds, waist girth, and hip girth were significantly reduced posttraining (p < 0.01), although body weight did not change. Significant improvements (p < 0.01) were observed in upper-body strength (35.6 +/- 16.4%) and endurance (167.4 +/- 55.4%), lower-body strength (50.7 +/- 32.3%) and endurance (273.1 +/- 120.7%), Vo(2peak), trunk flexibility, and flexibility of the ipsilateral (surgical) and contralateral shoulder joint. Psychological QOL and overall QOL, evaluated via the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment Scale-Abbreviated Version. Inventory also improved significantly (p < 0.01). No incidents of lymphedema or injury were reported. These findings suggest that survivors of breast cancer can safely benefit from engaging in a full-body exercise regimen.
authors.affiliation: School of Exercise and Sport Science, University of Sydney, Australia. bche3157@mail.usyd.edu.au
authors.forename: Birinder Singh B
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Cheema
authors.forename: Catherine A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Gaul
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D012885:Skinfold Thickness; D017741:Survivors; D049629:Waist-Hip Ratio