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Int J Sports Med 2020; 41(11): 790-797
DOI: 10.1055/a-1147-1513
Clinical Sciences

Concurrent Exercise Interventions in Breast Cancer Survivors with Cancer-related Fatigue

Itiziar Pagola
1   Faculty of Sport Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Spain
,
Javier S. Morales
1   Faculty of Sport Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Spain
,
Lidia B. Alejo
1   Faculty of Sport Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Spain
,
Olga Barcelo
1   Faculty of Sport Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Spain
,
Marta Montil
1   Faculty of Sport Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Spain
,
Jesús Oliván
2   School of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences-INEF, Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
,
Alejandro Álvarez-Bustos
3   Department of Medical Oncology, Puerta de Hierro University Hospital of Majadahonda, Majadahonda, Spain
,
Blanca Cantos
3   Department of Medical Oncology, Puerta de Hierro University Hospital of Majadahonda, Majadahonda, Spain
,
Constanza Maximiano
3   Department of Medical Oncology, Puerta de Hierro University Hospital of Majadahonda, Majadahonda, Spain
,
Francisco Hidalgo
1   Faculty of Sport Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Spain
,
Pedro L. Valenzuela
4   Physiology Unit, Systems Biology Department, University of Alcala de Henares, Madrid, Spain
,
Carmen Fiuza-Luces
5   12th of October Hospital Research Institute, Physiology, Madrid, Spain
,
Alejandro Lucia
1   Faculty of Sport Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Spain
,
Ana Ruiz-Casado
3   Department of Medical Oncology, Puerta de Hierro University Hospital of Majadahonda, Majadahonda, Spain
› Author Affiliations Funding: This work is supported by the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport (contract number FPU14/03435 to JSM); University of Alcalá (contract number FPI2016 to PLV); Universidad Europea de Madrid [2015/UEM05, 2017/UEM14 and 2018/UEM02 and UEM2020/36]; and the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias and Fondos FEDER [grant numbers PI15/00558 and PI18/00139 to AL] and Miguel Servet research contract [ref. # CP18/00034 to CFL]).
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Abstract

This study compared the effects of two supervised concurrent training interventions in breast cancer survivors with cancer-related fatigue at baseline. Twenty-three female breast cancer survivors (50±8 years) were randomized to a high- (n=13) or a moderate-intensity (n=10) training program. Both interventions lasted 16 weeks and included the same resistance exercises, but the aerobic component was supervised and more intense in the former (i.e., rating of perceived exertion of 7–8 vs. 6 on a 1–10 scale for the high and moderate-intensity intervention, respectively). The primary endpoint was fatigue perception. Endpoints were assessed at baseline and after 16 weeks. The p-value for statistical significance was set at 0.004 after Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. The high-intensity training program increased lower-limb muscle strength significantly (p=0.002) and tended to improve fatigue perception (p=0.006), waist circumference (p=0.013), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (p=0.028) and some quality of life items (p=0.011). Although the moderate-intensity training program did not provide such benefits in general (i.e., higher p-values for pre vs post-intervention comparisons), no significant differences were found between interventions (all p>0.004). Further research is needed to elucidate if the benefits provided by high-intensity concurrent training are superior to those elicited by moderate-intensity training in breast cancer survivors.

Key words

exercise is medicine - physical activity - high-intensity training - quality of life - body composition - physical fitness

Supplementary Material



Publication History

Received: 17 September 2019

Accepted: 19 March 2020

Article published online:
29 June 2020

© 2020. Thieme. All rights reserved.

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Stuttgart · New York

 

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