title: Effect of a six-month yoga exercise intervention on fitness outcomes for breast cancer survivors.
abstract: Yoga-based exercise has proven to be beneficial for practitioners, including cancer survivors. This study reports on the improvements in physical fitness for 20 breast cancer survivors who participated in a six-month yoga-based exercise program (YE). Results are compared to a comprehensive exercise (CE) program group and a comparison (C) exercise group who chose their own exercises. "Pre" and "post" fitness assessments included measures of anthropometrics, cardiorespiratory capacity, strength and flexibility. Descriptive statistics, effect size (d), dependent sample 't' tests for all outcome measures were calculated for the YE group. Significant improvements included: decreased % body fat (-3.00%, d = -0.44, p < 0.001); increased sit to stand leg strength repetitions (2.05, d = 0.48, p = 0.003); forward reach (3.59 cm, d = 0.61, p = 0.01); and right arm sagittal range of motion (6.50°, d = 0.92, p = 0.05). To compare YE outcomes with the other two groups, a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used. YE participants significantly outperformed C participants on "forward reach" (3.59 cm gained versus -2.44 cm lost), (p = 0.009) and outperformed CE participants (3.59 cm gained versus 1.35 cm gained), but not statistically significant. Our results support yoga-based exercise modified for breast cancer survivors as safe and effective.
authors.affiliation: a Institute for Health Promotion Research, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio , San Antonio , TX , USA .
authors.forename: Daniel C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.affiliation: b Nydia's Yoga Therapy , San Antonio , TX , USA .
authors.forename: Nydia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Darby
authors.affiliation: c Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, School of Health Professions, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio , San Antonio , TX , USA , and.
authors.forename: Krystle
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gonzalez
authors.affiliation: d Exercise and Sport Science Department, St. Mary's University , San Antonio , TX, USA.
authors.forename: Terri
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Boggess
authors.affiliation: a Institute for Health Promotion Research, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio , San Antonio , TX , USA .
authors.forename: Ruth M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.affiliation: a Institute for Health Promotion Research, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio , San Antonio , TX , USA .
authors.forename: Amelie G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Ramirez
mesh_terms: D050154:Adiposity; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength; D010809:Physical Fitness; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D017741:Survivors; D013781:Texas; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015013:Yoga
keywords: Cancer survivors; fitness; yoga