Effects of combined and resistance training on the inflammatory profile in breast cancer survivors: A systematic review

Abstract

Objective: The present systematic review aimed to verify the effect of resistance and combined training on the inflammatory profile of breast cancer survivors.

Design: The searches were made on the platforms PsycINFO, PubMed, Cochrane, Science Direct and Scopus, from 1996 to 2017, using the keywords: cancer survivors, cancer treatment, cancer patients, breast cancer, inflammation, inflammatory profile, immune function, resistance training, strength training, weight training, physical activity, concurrent training and combined training. References of selected articles were also considered. Seven studies fulfilled the criteria adopted for analysis.

Results: None of these studies have shown reduced inflammatory markers in breast cancer survivors undergoing combined or isolated resistance training.

Conclusions: It is not yet possible to conclude which resistance and/or combination training protocol is capable of improving the short-term inflammatory profile in this population. Future studies should seek to establish how structural training variables (intensity, volume, density, intra- and inter-series recovery, among others) act on anti-inflammatory processes in breast cancer survivors.

Keywords: Breast cancer; Cancer; Inflammation; Physical exercise; Prisma; Review; TNF.