title: Triathlon training for women breast cancer survivors: feasibility and initial efficacy.
abstract: ᅟ: Exercise can improve quality of life (QOL) in breast cancer survivors. In contrast to many group or home-based exercise programs, little is known about the effectiveness of goal-oriented recreational activities.
  
  
  
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate a clinically overseen team triathlon training program on improving physiological and psychosocial health-related measures in female breast cancer survivors.
  
  
  
  Twenty-three participants (age = 48 (8), BMI = 25 (1), mean (SE)) were recruited from a 14-week sprint triathlon (800-m swim, 20-km bike, 5-km run) team training program for women breast cancer survivors (4 (3) years post-surgery, chemo-, or radiation-therapy). Training included two supervised group and three home-based individual sessions per week. Pre- and post-training outcomes included isokinetic knee extensor strength (60, 180, and 300° s-1), 6-min walk test (6MWT), maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), QOL (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy -Breast (FACT-B)), and barriers to exercise. Outcomes were also obtained 6 months post except for VO2max. Significance was set at p < 0.05.
  
  
  
  Data are mean (SD) from 21 complete data sets. Knee extensor peak torque significantly improved only at 300° s-1(pre 40.3(8.5) ftlb; post 45.2(8.4); p = 0.001). 6MWT significantly improved (pre 632.8(62.1) m; post 657.4(53.2); p = 0.014) as did VO2max (pre 31.3(5.8) ml kg-1min-1; post 35.9(5.8); p < 0.001). FACT-B also improved (pre 114(12); post 122(13); p = 0.004), including the FACT-G total score, social well-being, and breast cancer subscales while barriers to exercise decreased (pre 54(12); post 36(9); p < 0.001). Strength, 6MWT, and barriers to exercise remained improved after 6 months.
  
  
  
  Team triathlon training in breast cancer survivors can increase aerobic capacity and improve QOL which may contribute to healthier lifestyles in breast cancer survivors.
authors.affiliation: Program in Exercise Science, Department of Physical Therapy, Marquette University, P.O. 1881, Milwaukee, WI, 53201-1881, USA. alexander.ng@marquette.edu.
authors.forename: Alexander V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.affiliation: Program in Exercise Science, Department of Physical Therapy, Marquette University, P.O. 1881, Milwaukee, WI, 53201-1881, USA.
authors.forename: Alyson N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Cybulski
authors.affiliation: Program in Exercise Science, Department of Physical Therapy, Marquette University, P.O. 1881, Milwaukee, WI, 53201-1881, USA.
authors.forename: Ashley A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Engel
authors.affiliation: Program in Exercise Science, Department of Physical Therapy, Marquette University, P.O. 1881, Milwaukee, WI, 53201-1881, USA.
authors.forename: Paula E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Papanek
authors.affiliation: Clinical Analytics, Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare, Glendale, WI, 53212, USA.
authors.forename: Megan A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Sheffer
authors.affiliation: Cancer Rehabilitation, Department of Physical Therapy, Aurora Health Care, Milwaukee, WI, 53233, USA.
authors.forename: Leslie J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Waltke
authors.affiliation: Surgical Breast Oncology, Aurora Research Institute, Aurora Health Care, Milwaukee, WI, 53233, USA.
authors.forename: Judy A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Tjoe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000523:psychology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Cancer survivorship; Exercise; Multisport; Physical activity; Quality of life