Breast Cancer Survivors and Exercise

Breast Cancer Survivors and Exercise: A Research Summary
Matteo Tino, B. Kin, PTS, CSCS

Prolonged inactivity during and post breast cancer treatment may have many negative consequences, including “reduced ability to tolerate active daily living and recreational pursuits, as well as impaired psychological well being (Cheema & Gaul, 2006).” In addition, weight gain experienced during treatment has many adverse side effects such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and an increased risk of disease reoccurrence.

In an article published in The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research researchers from Canada and Australia found that exercise has positive benefits in post operative breast cancer survivors with prior upper body aerobic training experience.

27 subjects of variable age (45-70yrs) and post treatment time (9m-21yrs) participated in weight training two (2) times per week and anaerobic conditioning three (3) times per week. The subjects completed full body weight training programs consisting of ten exercises (Table 1) at 8-12 repetitions each (with the exception of abdominal work, which was completed to exhaustion). “Subject alternated upper- and lower-body exercises, and rested approximately 2 minutes between sets (Cheema & Gaul, 2006).” Aerobic training involved self selected activities performed at 65-85% of the participant’s maximum heart rate. (Table 2) A warm-up and dynamic stretching was performed before exercise, and static stretching was performed after each exercise session

TABLE 1. The number of sets of each 8–12RM resistance training exercise prescribed per resistance training session by training week
(Cheema & Gaul, 2006)


TABLE 2. Prescribed time spent in the target heart rate zone per aerobic training session by raining week (Cheema & Gaul, 2006)


After eight weeks of training subjects had significant increases in upper- and lower-body strength and endurance, flexibility and overall Quality of Life when compared to their pretest levels. A decrease in waist and hip girth with no significant changes in body weight was also observed

Previously, it was thought that postoperative intense exercise will result in Lymphedema (A condition in which excess fluid collects in tissue and causes swelling. It may occur in the arm or leg after lymph vessels or lymph nodes in the underarm or groin are removed or treated with radiation.). Exercise may help to make the body more efficient in preventing this condition.

“This research is the first to demonstrate that survivors of breast cancer can safely perform upper-body resistance training at an intensity equal to that recommended for the general population (Cheema & Gaul, 2006).”


Reference

Cheema, BS & Gaul, CA. Full-body exercise training improves fitness and quality of life in survivors of breast cancer. J Strength Cond Res. 2006 Feb;20(1):14-21.


Always speak with your doctor before beginning any exercise program.