Effects of Physical Exercise on Cardio-vascular Efficiency and Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Survivors

The Impact of Different Physical Exercise Protocols on Cardio-vascular Efficiency and Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Survivors

To examine the effects of different physical exercise protocols (aerobic training and resistance training) on cardio-vascular efficiency and quality of life in a population of breast cancer survivors (BCS), not treated with chemotherapy.

The present study enrolled a population of BCS women who underwent surgical treatment for breast cancer at the "Ospedale G. Bernabeo" of Ortona, Chieti, Italy. The participants were randomized to the following physical exercise protocols: aerobic training, walking or Nordic walking; resistance training.

All the participants have been examined utilizing transthoracic echocardiography, carotid ultrasound and photo-plethysmographic method for the analysis of arterial stiffness, before and after the physical exercise protocol (T0-T1). The two-dimensional speckle-tracking analysis was performed with an offline, dedicated software from the apical 4-chambers-view. Moreover, ventricular-arterial coupling, epicardial fat thickness and intima-media thickness were also analyzed.

Quality of life was assessed using SF-36 score at T0, T1 and at a mean follow-up of 34 months. Moreover, at follow-up, we evaluated spontaneous physical activity and cardiovascular quality of life using IPAQ and SAQ-7 scores.

Inclusion Criteria:

• age < 65 years;
• history of breast cancer surgery in the previous 12 months;
• no history of chemotherapy;
• no ongoing radiotherapy;
• eventual hormonal therapy;
• cardiovascular and orthopedic eligibility.

Exclusion Criteria:

• adjuvant chemotherapy;
• any history of cardiovascular disease;
• abnormal exercise stress test at the screening;
• any systemic inflammatory disease or any orthopedic condition potentially limiting the physical training.