Effects Of Resistance Plus Aerobic Training On Body Composition In Breast Cancer Survivors On Aromatase Inhibitors

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Treatment for breast cancer is multi-modal and often includes estrogen blockade that can alter body composition. Aerobic training can reduce body fat, while resistsance training improves lean mass and, bone mineral density (BMD); however, it is unclear whether exercise retains its efficacy during aromatase inhibition. Our study determined the influence of combined aerobic + resistance training on body composition of breast cancer survivors (BCS) that use aromatase inhibitors. METHODS: Women cancer survivors are randomized to 9 months of exercise [Resistance + aerobic training] (EX): n= 18 or streching group (SG): n=18]. Body composition was measured by DXA (total body and trunk fat mass % body fat (BF); lean body mass (LBM); spine and total hip BMD at baseline, 3, 6 and 9 months. The exercise group performed by 40 minutes with 7 resistance exercises on machines followed by 30 minutes of treadmill (aerobic) training 3x/wk. Separate 2 x 3 repeated measure ANOVAs were used to compare groups. RESULTS: Retention in the study was 94% in EX and 72% in SG. Adherence to training was 78.2%. Significant group x time interactions were found for total and trunk fat mass, and % body fat, (p<0.001), where women in EX lost fat compared to slight gains among women in SG. There were no significant group x time interactions for LBM, total hip or spine BMD.Table 1: Mean score changes in EX and SG groups from baseline to 9 monthsCONCLUSION: This study demonstrated the potential efficacy of combined training to decrease total and trunk fat mass, an indictor of central adiposity, in breast cancer survivors on aromatase inhibitor therapy, in which fat mass is considered risk factor for recurrence of cancer, metastasis and other chronic disease. A combined modality program did not slow bone loss in this population, thus modifications to the program to include specific osteogenic training may need to be considered to target this health outcome.