Effects of Combined Aerobic and Stretching Exercises on the Cardiopulmonary Parameters of Premenopausal and Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Survivors.
BACKGROUND
Therapeutic approaches that will improve the reduced cardiopulmonary functions of breast cancer (BC) survivors are of optimal importance. The effects of aerobic exercise on health-related outcomes of BC survivors have been reported while there is a dearth of information on the effects of combined aerobic and stretching exercises on cardiopulmonary parameters of female BC survivors.


OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the effects of combined aerobic and stretching exercises on cardiopulmonary functions of premenopausal and postmenopausal Breast cancer (BC) survivors.


METHODS
Fifty-four eligible BC survivors participated in the study but four-eight completed it. They were randomly' assigned to groups A and B and each group had two subgroups; subgroup 1 (premenopausal) and subgroup 2 (postmenopausal). Group A underwent combined aerobic exercise using treadmill and stretching exercises for 12 weeks while Group B was the control group.


RESULTS
Significant changes were observed in the cardiovascular parameters of participants in Groups A,,,,, (Resting systolic blood pressure (A1:p = 0.01*; A2: p = 0.01*), Resting diastolic blood pressure (A1: p = 0.01*; A2: p = 0.004*), Resting rate pressure product (A1: p 0.001*; A2: p = 0.02*). Significant changes were also observed in the pulmonary parameters of participants of Groups A(1&2) (Arterioxyhaemoglobin saturation (A,:p = 0.001*; A2:p = 0.02*), Forced vital capacity (A1:p = 0.13; A2: p = 0.05*), maximal oxygen uptake (A1:p = 0.03*; A2: p = 0.15).


CONCLUSIONS
Combined aerobic and stretching exercises brought about significant therapeutic effects on selected cardiopulmonary parameters in female BC survivors.
Happiness
H
Anulika Aweto
Sunday Rufus Akinwumi
SR
Akinbo
Olajide Ayinla
OA
Olawale
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D017741:Survivors; D016896:Treatment Outcome