Body Composition and Flexibility Changes in Exercising Breast Cancer Survivors

Abstract

Subsequent to treatment for breast cancer, many people may adopt sedentary lifestyles due to psychosocial and physical side effects associated with their cancer experience. Sedentary lifestyles may lead to increased body weight and decreased flexibility. Increased body weight and body fat are associated with increased risk of co-morbidities and an increase in cancer mortality rates for women. Aerobic exercise has been shown to reduce body fat percentage and increase measures of flexibility in healthy populations. Flexibility and body composition changes in response to exercise have not been extensively reported for cancer survivors. PURPOSE: To examine the effect of an aerobic exercise program on body composition and flexibility measures in breast cancer survivors. METHODS: Twenty-one breast cancer survivors (43-79 years, at least one month post-treatment) were randomly assigned to either an exercise group (n=11) or control group (n= 10). The exercise group participated in a low to moderate intensity (30-50% heart rate reserve) aerobic exercise program three times a week for ten weeks. The control group did not participate in the exercise program or change their normal daily activities. Body composition was assessed utilizing a three site (tricep, iliac crest, thigh) skin-fold test. Flexibility was measured with the Modified Sit-and-Reach test. RESULTS: Statistical analysis revealed a significant improvement in body composition in the exercise group compared to the control group (p = .002). The exercise group decreased body fat by 1.5% (29.8% to 28.3%) while the control group showed no change in body fat percentage (32.7% to 33.2%). The exercise group showed a significant increase in lower body flexibility when compared to the control group (p = .006). The exercise group increased flexibility 13.4% (26.7 cm to 30.3 cm) while the control group decreased flexibility 3.3% (23.0 cm to 22.2 cm). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that low to moderate intensity exercise is effective in reducing body fat and increasing flexibility in breast cancer survivors. These changes may increase a personââ'â,,¢s ability to function physically and may reduce the risk of co-morbidities associated with increased body weight. Cancer survivors should be encouraged to adopt similar exercise programs.