Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine whether a rowing training program leads to improvements in physical fitness and body composition in women who have survived breast cancer (53.70 ± 7.88 years). The participants (n = 30) completed a twelve-week training program consisting of three sessions per week, with each session lasting from sixty to ninety minutes. An anthropometric and general physical fitness assessment was performed before and after the program. The results showed statistically significant improvements in all the physical fitness tests performed: sit and reach (2.82 cm); back scratch, dominant (3.29 cm); back scratch, non-dominant (4.59 cm); counter movement jump (1.91 cm); hand grip, dominant (2.54 kgf); hand grip, non-dominant (2.53 kgf); chair stand (2.56 rep); and six-minute walk (51.56 m). In addition, a significant improvement was observed in the efficiency of the cardiovascular system measured by heart rate, in beats per minute (bpm), both before (−12.63 bpm) and after the six-minute walk test (−11.46 bpm). The evaluated body composition parameters also improved, specifically total lean mass (2.18 kg) and the percentage of total body fat (−2.63%). We can therefore conclude that rowing training programs can be a strategy to be considered for improving physical fitness in this population given the improvement obtained in both anthropometric and physical fitness variables, thus leading to better health and quality of life.
Highlights
According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), breast cancer is the most common cancer worldwide, affecting 2.1 million individuals each year and is the leading cause of death among women
The study study of of breast breast cancer cancer from from the the perspective perspective of of physical physical activity activity is is relatively relatively recent, recent, as as demonstrated by the limited literature and recommendations published by the less than six demonstrated by the limited literature and recommendations published by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) [31] less than months ago
Our research offers a novel methodological proposal for physical exercise prescription after breast cancer through a training program based on rowing, a cyclic and symmetrical sport that combines overall strength with aerobic endurance
Summary
According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), breast cancer is the most common cancer worldwide, affecting 2.1 million individuals each year and is the leading cause of death among women. According to the 2018 IARC study, 4% of women worldwide will have breast cancer at some time in their lives [2]. This percentage is increasing, and it is expected that in 2040, the percentage of women who will be affected by this type of cancer will double, rising to 8% of the global population [3]. This percentage is associated with the effectiveness of treatments, to the increase in early diagnosis and to the prevention of relapse [4,5].
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