Exercise effects on bone mineral density in women with breast cancer receiving adjuvant chemotherapy.
OBJECTIVE
To test the effects of aerobic and resistance exercise on changes in bone mineral density (BMD) in women newly diagnosed with stage I-III breast cancer receiving chemotherapy.


METHODS
Randomized clinical trial.


METHODS
Two National Cancer Institute-designated cancer centers in metropolitan areas.


METHODS
66 women with stage I-III breast cancer beginning adjuvant chemotherapy.


METHODS
Participants were randomized to aerobic or resistance exercise and usual care. At the beginning of chemotherapy and at six months, patients completed exercise testing and BMD assessment of the lumbar spine by dual energy x-ray absorptionetry.


METHODS
BMD, aerobic capacity, and muscle strength.


RESULTS
The average decline in BMD was -6.23% for usual care, -4.92% for resistance exercise, and -0.76% for aerobic exercise. Aerobic exercise preserved BMD significantly better compared to usual care. Premenopausal women demonstrated significantly greater declines in BMD than postmenopausal women. Aerobic capacity increased by almost 25% for women in the aerobic exercise group and 4% for resistance exercise. Participants in the usual care group showed a 10% decline in aerobic capacity.


CONCLUSIONS
The data suggest that weight-bearing aerobic exercise attenuates declines in BMD and that aerobic and resistance exercise improve aerobic capacity and muscle strength at a time when women generally show marked declines in functional ability.


CONCLUSIONS
Exercise may prevent or at least minimize bone loss observed during chemotherapy and may prevent or delay the long-term effects of osteoporosis.
Schwartz
Anna L
AL
The Scottsdale Healthcare Cancer Research Endowed Chair, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, USA. annaschwartz@peoplepc.com
Winters-Stone
Kerri
K
Gallucci
Betty
B
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015519:Bone Density; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D011446:Prospective Studies
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D004317:Doxorubicin; D008727:Methotrexate