title: Effects of concurrent aerobic and strength training on breast cancer survivors: a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of a combined aerobic and strength program on physiological and psychological parameters in female breast cancer survivors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomised controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  20 patients (age: 45.6 ± 2.7 yrs) surgically treated for breast cancer that had completed all cancer therapies at least 6 months before and with no contraindications to physical activity, were recruited and randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 10) and a control group (n = 10). Intervention group patients attend to a 24-week combined aerobic and strength training program. Physiological (i.e. VO2max, bioelectrical impedance test, maximal strength of principal muscular groups) and psychological (i.e. functional assessment of chronic illness therapy-fatigue: FACIT-F) parameters were assessed at baseline and after 24 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 24 weeks the intervention group showed significant improvement in VO2max (38.8%), strength of upper and lower limbs (ranging from 13 to 60%) and decrease in fat mass percentage (-6.3%). The FACIT-F showed significant increase in all of the three scores that can be derived (FACIT-F Trial outcome: 13%; FACT-G total score: 18%; FACIT-F total score: 15%) showing patient's quality of life (QOL) improvement. No significant change in all the parameters was found for the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results show the positive effects of a combined aerobic and strength training program on breast cancer survivors and underline the importance of the early inclusion of structured physical activity in the rehabilitation protocol.
authors.affiliation: Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, Division of Health Sciences, University of Rome Foro Italico, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: De Luca
authors.affiliation: Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, Division of Health Sciences, University of Rome Foro Italico, Rome, Italy. Electronic address: carlo.minganti@uniroma4.it.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Minganti
authors.affiliation: Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, Division of Health Sciences, University of Rome Foro Italico, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Borrione
authors.affiliation: Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, Division of Health Sciences, University of Rome Foro Italico, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Grazioli
authors.affiliation: Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, Division of Health Sciences, University of Rome Foro Italico, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cerulli
authors.affiliation: Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, Division of Health Sciences, University of Rome Foro Italico, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Guerra
authors.affiliation: Breast Unit S. Andrea Hospital, Sapienza Rome University, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bonifacino
authors.affiliation: Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, Division of Health Sciences, University of Rome Foro Italico, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Parisi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life; D055070:Resistance Training / Q000379:methods; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Breast cancer; Concurrent training; Physical activity; Quality of life