Effects of Moderate-intensity Interval Aerobic Exercise (MIIAE) on Inflammatory, Immune, Metabolic, Physical Fitness, and Quality of Life Parameters in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy.

Effects of Moderate-intensity Interval Aerobic Exercise (MIIAE) on Inflammatory, Immune, Metabolic, Physical Fitness, and Quality of Life Parameters in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy.

Breast cancer and its treatment with radiotherapy may be associated with systemic inflammatory, hematological, cardiac, body composition, functional and quality-of-life alterations. Exercise has emerged as a non-pharmacological strategy with potential benefits during oncological treatment; however, further evidence is needed regarding the effects of supervised moderate-intensity interval aerobic exercise during radiotherapy.

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effects of a supervised moderate-intensity interval aerobic exercise programme on systemic inflammatory and immune-derived hematological indices, cardiac biomarkers, body composition, muscle strength, lower-limb power, sleep quality and breast cancer-specific quality of life in women with breast cancer undergoing radiotherapy.

Participants will be allocated to either an experimental group performing supervised moderate-intensity interval aerobic exercise during radiotherapy or to a control group receiving usual care without structured exercise during the study period. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and after completion of the intervention period.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Women aged between 20 and 65 years.
• Clinical diagnosis of breast cancer (Stage I-III).
• Patients who have undergone lumpectomy or mastectomy.
• Scheduled to start radiotherapy treatment.
• Sedentary lifestyle according to international physical activity guidelines.
• Ability to understand and follow instructions.
• Ability to provide written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Presence of infectious disease.
• Cardiovascular or respiratory disease.
• Metastatic disease.
• Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus.
• Neuropathy.
• Physically active individuals meeting WHO physical activity recommendations.
• Participation in an exercise intervention program within the last 3 months.
• Any condition that, in the opinion of the research team, may compromise safety or participation.