Effects of Combined Training on the Body Composition In Breast Cancer Survivors: A 1-y Follow-up

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PURPOSE: Exercise program can improve the side effects of cancer treatment, such as, decreased total fat mass and trunk fat mass, however, it is not known whether these positive outcomes acquired are maintained long-term after program interruption. Thus, the objective of this study was to verify if the effects of combined training on the body composition persisted over 1 year follow-up after training interruption in older breast cancer survivors undergoing aromatase inhibitor therapy. METHODS: Thirty-six breast cancer survivors (50+ years of age) that participated in a clinical trial during 9 months [Exercise group (EG): n= 18 and Control group (CG): n=18] were assessed for the 1 year follow-up. Body composition (total fat mass, percentage of fat mass, trunk fat and lean body mass) and bone mineral density were evaluated by DXA. The exercise group performed about 40 min of resistance training plus 30 min of aerobic training, three times per week during 9 months. Two-way repeated measure of ANOVA was used to compare groups and a Bonferroni’s post hoc test was conducted when a significant interaction was observed. RESULTS: There were a significant group × time interaction for total fat mass (Pre= 30.7±7.7 vs Post=28.6±7.8 vs Follow-up= 30.3±8.1 kg, F= 4.864, p=0.012) and percentage of fat mass (Pre= 45.4±5.1 vs Post=43.2±5.8 vs Follow-up= 45.7±5.4 %, F= 6.808, p= 0.002). The Bonferroni’s Post hoc test showed a decreasing for fat mass only in the EG after 9 months of training but there was a regain over 1 year follow-up. There were no statistically significant interaction for lean mass, trunk fat and bone mineral density (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the potential benefits of combined training (resistance plus aerobic) to decreased total and percentage of fat mass in breast cancer survivors undergoing aromatase inhibitor therapy, however, after training interruption there was a regain of body fat. Therefore, our results emphasize that is important to maintain an exercise training program over a prolonged period for this population.