The importance of physical exercise in cardiovascular fitness in breast cancer survivors. A cross-sectional study: women in Motion 2.0

Abstract

Purpose: To compare the cardiovascular fitness of breast cancer (BC) survivors with an active lifestyle to those with a sedentary lifestyle.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Participants were classified into four groups: two groups of active women who performed more than 150 min/week of physical exercise, active with BC (Act-BCW) and active without BC (Act-HW); and two groups of sedentary women who performed less than 90 min/week of physical exercise, sedentary with BC (Sed-BCW) and sedentary without BC (Sed-HW). VO₂max was estimated by the 6-min walking test (6MWT); speed, isometric strength, lower body maximum strength, explosive strength, balance, and body composition were also measured. ANOVA was used to analyze group differences and post hoc comparisons were developed with the Bonferroni test.

Results: A total of 92 women were recruited. Significant differences were found in VO₂max between the Act-BCW and Sed-BCW groups (MeanDif = 5.86, p < 0.001). No differences in VO₂max were observed between the active groups (MeanDif = 0.42, p = 0.753). Related body composition and fat mass levels were significantly lower in the Act-BCW group than in the sedentary groups (Sed-BCW MeanDif = - 6.78; p = 0.012; and Sed-HW MeanDif = - 12.07; p < 0.001).

Conclusions: Women who are Act-BCW can achieve similar values in physical condition as women who are Act-HW and have better values than women who are sedentary. Furthermore, our results suggest than physical activity level may have a greater impact in body composition than a previous history of BC.

Keywords: Active lifestyle; Breast cancer survivors; Cardiovascular fitness recovery; Physical exercise.