The effect of a 10-week aerobic exercise on cardiac function among overweight female breast cancer survivors; a randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common and deadliest cancer among women. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 10-week aerobic exercise on cardiac function among overweight female breast cancer survivors. Patients and Methods: This triple-blinded randomized clinical trial was carried out among 25 overweight female breast cancer survivors (age range; 30-55 years). The aerobic exercise training protocol was performed for 10 weeks with an intensity of 40 to 75% of maximal heart rate. Anthropometric parameters and body composition of patients were measured (pre-test/post-test design). Echocardiography was used to determine the ejection fraction and pulmonary artery pressure of the patients too. Results: There was no significant difference between anthropometric parameters and body composition of patients in the control and exercise groups. Additionally, there was a significant difference in the ejection fraction (P=0.001), PAP (P = 0.025) and VO2max between patients of control and exercise groups (P=0.001). Conclusion: A 10-week aerobic exercise leads to an increase in the levels of VO2max, ejection fraction and pulmonary arterial pressure. Trial Registration: Registration of trial protocol has been approved by Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (identifier: IRCT20190218042745N1, https://www.irct.ir/trial/37684, ethical code; IR.MUI.REC.1396.2.082).