Exercise Intervention In Women Research Articles

Effect of exercise before and/or during taxane-containing chemotherapy treatment on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy symptoms in women with breast cancer: systematic review and meta-analysis.

To systematically review and meta-analyse the efficacy of exercise interventions delivered before and/or during taxane-containing chemotherapy regimens on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), fatigue, and health-related quality of life (HR-QoL), in women with breast cancer. Seven electronic databases were systematically searched for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) reporting on the effects of exercise interventions in women with breast cancer receiving taxane-containing chemotherapeutic treatment. Meta-analyses evaluated the effects of exercise on CIPN symptoms, fatigue, and HR-QoL. Ten trials involving exercise interventions ranging between 2 and 12months were included. The combined results of four RCTs consisting of 171 participants showed a reduction in CIPN symptoms following exercise compared with usual care (standardised mean difference - 0.71, 95% CI - 1.24 to - 0.17, p = 0.012; moderate-quality evidence, I2 = 76.9%). Pooled results from six RCTs with 609 participants showed that exercise interventions before and/or during taxane-containing chemotherapy regimens improved HR-QoL (SMD 0.42, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.76, p = 0.03; moderate-quality evidence, I2 = 49.6%). There was no evidence of an effect of exercise on fatigue (- 0.39, 95% CI - 0.95 to 0.18, p = 0.15; very low-quality evidence, I2 = 90.1%). This systematic review found reduced levels of CIPN symptoms and an improvement in HR-QoL in women with breast cancer who exercised before and/or during taxane-based chemotherapy versus usual care controls. This evidence supports the role of exercise as an adjunctive treatment for attenuating the adverse effects of taxane-containing chemotherapy on CIPN symptoms and HR-QoL.

Effects of exercise on immune cells with tumor-specific activity in breast cancer patients and survivors: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Exercise is effective for improving the physical and psychological health of breast cancer patients. However, there is still controversy around its role on the immune system. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis is aimed to evaluate the effect of chronic exercise on the number and activity of the immune cells that can contribute to anti-tumor immune responses, such as natural killers (NK) cells, CD + 4, or CD + 8. The main hypothesis of this study was that exercise could improve the immune system or, at least, there will not be a reduction in the number or activity of immune cells because of exercise. The search was conducted in the PubMed and Web of Science databases. Out of 244 studies reviewed, 10 studies met the inclusion criteria. The studies included in the meta-analyses showed mixed results and no significant (p > 0.05) positive or negative effects of exercise interventions in women with breast cancer. Therefore, the current evidence indicates that exercise does not significantly improve or reduce the immune system; thus, the prescription of exercise must not be discouraged due to the effects on the number and activity of immune system cells, but should be recommended due to the well-known benefits in quality of life, physical function or fatigue, and the absence of negative effects on the immune system. Further studies are needed to evaluate the effects according to the type of exercise, the type of cancer, or the timing of the intervention.

Responsiveness of the new index muscular echotexture in women with metastatic breast cancer: an exercise intervention study

Ultrasound imaging texture analyses may provide information on tissue homogeneity changes in metastatic breast cancer (MBC) through second-order analyzes based on the gray-level co-occurrence matrix. This study aimed to analyze the responsiveness and correlations of biomarkers of muscular and fat echotexture after an exercise intervention in women with MBC. A 12-week exercise intervention was conducted in 2019, including aerobic and strength training. Echotexture variables were obtained at baseline and after intervention from the quadriceps (Q) and biceps brachii and brachialis. Mean differences were calculated using the T-Student parametric test for dependent samples of the differences in the means (P = 0.05; 95% CI). Data obtained from 13 MBC women showed significant differences in some echotexture variables after the intervention. QLQ-BR23 questionnaire correlated with several echotexture variables from muscle and subcutaneous fat. PFS-R scale correlated positively with the Q Subcutaneous Fat Non-Contraction Homogeneity (R = 0.43, P < 0.05). Q Muscle Non-Contraction Energy and Q Muscle Non-Contraction Textural Correlation explained 90% of the variance of QLQ-BR23. Some muscle and subcutaneous fat echotexture biomarkers showed good responsiveness after the exercise intervention. Additionally, some muscle and subcutaneous fat variables correlated with QLQ-BR23 and cancer-related fatigue measured by PFS-R scale in MBC patients.Trial registration: NCT03879096

Exercise Interventions for Women with Ovarian Cancer: A Realist Review.

Background: Despite evidence indicating the benefits of exercise interventions for women with ovarian cancer both during and following treatment, uptake is poor. There is limited research exploring the implementation of such interventions for this cohort of women. The purpose of this review was to identify implementation theories in relation to exercise interventions for women with stages I–IV ovarian cancer, both during and following treatment; to explain positive and negative contextual factors, which may help or hinder implementation; and to develop a theory on how exercise interventions for women with ovarian cancer may be implemented. Methods: This realist review sourced literature from five electronic databases: CINAHL plus, Medline, Embase, PsycINFO and Google Scholar. Methodological rigour was assessed using the relevant critical appraisal skills programme tools. Results: Nine papers were included. Two intervention stages were identified: first, optimising uptake by providing education to patients on the benefits of exercise, approaching patients when symptoms are adequately managed and offering a personalised exercise programme; second, adherence and retention are influenced by the provision of an “autoregulated” exercise programme with additional supportive infrastructure, individualised goal setting and symptom management support where required. Conclusion: Women with ovarian cancer are reluctant to engage in exercise interventions, despite the supporting evidence in terms of positive clinical outcomes. This realist review elucidates underlying mechanisms and important contextual factors that will support and guide the implementation of exercise interventions for this cohort of women.

Motivational coaching augmentation of exercise intervention for early psychotic disorders: A randomised controlled trial

Exercise offers improvement to physical and mental health symptoms as well and cognitive function in patients with psychosis. However, patients with psychosis are often less ready to benefit from exercise intervention because of the difficulties in motivation. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of adjunctive motivational coaching on exercise intervention in women with psychosis in Hong Kong. From a community mental health programme for women, patients with a diagnosis of psychotic disorder (within 5 years of first onset) were randomly allocated to receive 12 30-minute sessions of motivational coaching or psychoeducation in a group format. Both groups additionally received exercise intervention sessions consisting of yoga, stretching and high-intensity interval training. Primary outcome was the total physical activity level measured by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Fifty-seven patients (mean [SD] age, 34.47 [12.44] years) were randomised into motivational coaching (n = 30) or psychoeducation (n = 27) treatment groups. The motivational coaching group had a significantly higher total physical activity level (4601.67 [686.59] vs 2524.82 [723.73] metabolic equivalent task-min/week, r2 = 0.473, p = 0.04) after the intervention and at 6 months post-intervention. Moderate and light physical activity levels were significantly higher in the motivational coaching group after intervention and at 6 months, respectively. Additionally, symptoms of bizarre behaviour were improved in the motivational coaching group at 6 months. Younger, unemployed, unmarried and those with longer durations of untreated psychosis generally showed larger improvements in the motivational coaching group. Motivational coaching may augment the effects of exercise interventions, as reflected by higher physical activity participation. Motivational coaching augmentation has the potential to further improve exercise intervention outcomes.

Effect of a dietary and exercise intervention in women with overweight and obesity undergoing fertility treatments: protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundDistinct molecular, inflammatory, and metabolic signatures are present in oocytes and follicular fluid derived from women with obesity when compared to those derived from normal weight women, which suggest existing signals that may program future offspring for metabolic diseases. This study aims to assess the feasibility and efficacy of a peri-conception nutrition and exercise intervention on mitigating obesity-associated changes in oocyte gene expression profiles and follicular fluid metabolites.MethodsThis single blinded randomized control trial will include 120 women with a BMI of 25–45 kg/m2, ≥21 years of age, and undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments. Participants will be randomized to standard of care (N = 60) or an intervention group (N = 60) in a block design by polycystic ovary syndrome status. The intervention will combine a dietary component (Mediterranean meal plan) with exercise prescription following the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Participants will be assessed pre- and post-intervention. The standard of care group will be offered to join the intervention group if the IVF treatments are unsuccessful as a cross over design. Recruitment is anticipated to start in July of 2021. Primary outcomes will include single oocyte gene expression profiles and follicular fluid metabolites. Mann-Whitney U nonparametric tests will be used to assess potential differences for each stratum. Follicular fluid and serum metabolites will be analyzed using a one-factor Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) at four levels, pair-wise comparisons using Tukey-Kramer post-hoc tests will be used to identify groups whose means differ significantly while retaining the family-wise error rate at 5%. When the design is balanced, two-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), or non-parametric Friedman test will be used in data analysis. Additionally, general linear models and ANCOVA may be used to control for covariates. Significance will be set at p < 0.05. Findings will be disseminated via peer-reviewed manuscripts and presentations at scientific conferences.DiscussionThis study will provide novel data and key information on the impact of a dietary and exercise intervention on oocyte gene expression and follicular fluid content. Results will demonstrate the potential of such intervention in mitigating obesity-induced changes in oocyte gene expression and follicular fluid metabolites.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04273048): submitted November 13, 2019; posted February 17, 2020.

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis from a Randomized Controlled Trial of Tailored Exercise Prescription for Women with Breast Cancer with 8-Year Follow-Up.

Studies show conflicting results on whether exercise interventions to improve outcomes for women with breast cancer are cost-effective. We modelled the long-term cost-effectiveness of the Exercise for Health intervention compared with usual care. A lifetime Markov cohort model for women with early breast cancer was constructed taking a societal perspective. Data were obtained from trial, epidemiological, quality of life, and healthcare cost reports. Outcomes were calculated from 5000 Monte Carlo simulations, and one-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses. Over the cohort’s remaining life, the incremental cost for the exercise versus usual care groups were $7409 and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) gained were 0.35 resulting in an incremental cost per QALY ratio of AU$21,247 (95% Uncertainty Interval (UI): Dominant, AU$31,398). The likelihood that the exercise intervention was cost-effective at acceptable levels was 93.0%. The incremental cost per life year gained was AU$8894 (95% UI Dominant, AU$11,769) with a 99.4% probability of being cost effective. Findings were most sensitive to the probability of recurrence in the exercise and usual care groups, followed by the costs of out-of-pocket expenses and the model starting age. This exercise intervention for women after early-stage breast cancer is cost-effective and would be a sound investment of healthcare resources.

Physical Activity and Exercise in Women With Ovarian Cancer: A Systematic Review

Objective: A consistent body of evidence supports participating in physical activity (PA) post-cancer diagnosis as beneficial to function, quality-of-life and potentially survival. However, diagnosis of late stage disease, poor prognosis, receipt of high doses of adjuvant therapy and presence of severe acute and persistent treatment-related side-effects may alter how these findings translate to women with ovarian cancer. Therefore, the objectives of this review were to (I) describe PA levels post-diagnosis of ovarian cancer, (II) explore the relationship between PA levels and health outcomes, and (III) evaluate the effect of exercise interventions for women with ovarian cancer. Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus and CINAHL were systematically searched to December 31, 2019. Two independent reviewers assessed articles for eligibility. Studies were eligible if they evaluated the relationship between PA levels or an exercise intervention and health outcomes following ovarian cancer. Methodological quality was assessed by two independent reviewers using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tools. Descriptive statistics were used to collate relevant data. Results: 34 articles were eligible for inclusion. Results demonstrated that most women decrease PA from pre- to post-diagnosis and remain insufficiently active following diagnosis. Higher levels of PA were associated with higher health-related quality-of-life (HRQOL), and lower levels of anxiety and depression. Exercise appears safe and feasible during and following treatment and leads to improvements in HRQOL, fatigue and additional physical and psychological outcomes. Conclusions: Findings suggest that PA is relevant to health outcomes for women with ovarian cancer. Interventions that aid women to stay or become sufficiently active, including through exercise interventions during or following treatment have potential to improve the lives of those with ovarian cancer. Future work evaluating targeted interventions that can accommodate disease-specific challenges is now required to ensure scientific findings can translate into improved ovarian cancer care.

Resistance training in breast cancer patients undergoing primary treatment: a systematic review and meta-regression of exercise dosage.

Exercise is recognised as an adjunct therapy for breast cancer patients; however, little is known about the resistance training dose-response. We conducted a systematic review and meta-regression to examine the resistance training dose-response (i.e., volume and intensity) in breast cancer patients undergoing primary treatment. Searches in MEDLINE, CINAHL, and SPORTDiscus were conducted for studies published up to November 2019. Experimental studies that evaluated resistance-based exercise interventions in women with breast cancer undergoing primary treatment were included. Information about resistance training components, average change and change per week, as well as standardised mean difference were extracted, and used for meta-regression analysis. Outcome measures were upper and lower body muscle strength and body composition. 10 trials were included in the systematic review and 4 trials in the dose-response analysis. Resistance training weekly prescribed volume was inversely associated with increases in upper and lower body muscle strength (r2 = 98.1-100%; p = 0.009), although there was no relationship between resistance training intensity and strength gains. There was insufficient data for the dose-response analysis of body mass index, percent body fat, and lean mass. Low volume resistance training might be a suitable exercise recommendation for breast cancer patients undergoing primary treatment producing superior benefits for muscle strength compared to higher volume training, regardless of the training intensity. Low volume resistance training may provide a conservative and appropriate approach for breast cancer patients, allowing gradual progression and modification throughout the exercise program.

A Systematic Review of the Effects of Exercise on Hormones in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder that is characterized by menstrual irregularity and elevated serum androgens, and is often accompanied by insulin resistance. The etiology of PCOS is unknown. Lifestyle interventions and weight loss, where appropriate, remain first-line treatments for women with PCOS. Regular physical activity is recommended for women with PCOS to maintain a healthy weight and cardiovascular fitness. Purpose: To review the evidence for the impact of various exercise interventions on hormone levels in women with PCOS. Methods: A systematic review of original studies indexed in PubMed that utilized an exercise intervention in women with PCOS and reported hormone values pre- and post-intervention. Studies in which the effects of the exercise intervention could be determined were included. Results: Vigorous aerobic exercise improves insulin measures in women with PCOS. Resistance or strength training may improve androgen levels, though additional studies are warranted. Studies with yoga are limited but suggest improvements in androgens. Limited information is available on the impact of exercise on adipokines and anti-Müllerian hormone, warranting further investigation. Conclusions: Recommended guidelines for women with PCOS include vigorous aerobic exercise and resistance training to improve measures of insulin sensitivity and androgen levels.

Energy Compensation Following a Supervised Exercise Intervention in Women Living With Overweight/Obesity Is Accompanied by an Early and Sustained Decrease in Non-structured Physical Activity

Background/ObjectivesBody composition (BC) does not always vary as a function of exercise induced energy expenditure (exercise EE – resting EE). Energy balance variables were measured to understand energy compensation (EC) in response to an exercise intervention performed at low (LOW) or moderate (MOD) intensity.Subjects/MethodsTwenty-one women with overweight/obesity (33 ± 5 kg/m2; 29 ± 10 yrs; 31 ± 4 ml O2/kg/min) were randomized to a 3-month LOW or MOD (40 or 60% of VȮ2reserve, respectively) matched to expend 1500 kcal/week (compliance = 97 ± 5%). Body energy stores (DXA), energy intake (EI) (food menu and food diaries), resting EE (indirect calorimetry), total EE (doubly-labeled water), time spent in different activities (accelerometers), appetite (visual analog scale), eating behavior traits and food reward (liking and wanting) were assessed at baseline, after weeks 1 and 2 and at the end of the 3-month exercise intervention.ResultsEC based on BC changes (fat mass and fat-free mass) was 49 ± 79% and 161 ± 88% in LOW and MOD groups, respectively (p = 0.010). EI did not change significantly during the intervention. However, eating behavior traits and food reward had changed by the end of the 3-month supervised exercise. Non-structured physical activity (NSPA) decreased across the intervention (p < 0.002), independent of the intensity of the exercise training.ConclusionWomen with overweight/obesity training at LOW presented lower EC for a given energy cost of exercise. Our results strongly suggest that NSPA plays a major role in mediating the effects of exercise on energy balance and ultimately on changes in BC.Clinical Trial Registrationwww.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier ISRCTN31641049.

Effects of physical and mind-body exercise on sleep problems during and after breast cancer treatment: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

We conducted a meta-analysis evaluating the effects of different exercise interventions on self-reported and objective sleep measurements during or after breast cancer treatment. Three databases were systematically searched for randomized controlled trials with any type of exercise intervention in women with breast cancer. Outcomes were self-reported or objective sleep measurements. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) were calculated using random-effects models. The meta-analysis included 22 trials with 2107 participants. Of these, 17 studies used the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), six studies included objective sleep assessments (ActiGraph). Physical exercise interventions included walking, aerobic exercise, resistance exercise or a combination of both. Mind-body exercise interventions included yoga, Tai Chi and Qigong. Most interventions were supervised. Both, physical (SMD - 0.32; 95% CI - 0.54 to - 0.10) and mind-body exercise interventions (SMD - 0.27; 95% CI - 0.44 to - 0.09), resulted in improvements of total sleep scores. Subgroup analyses revealed no clear differences between interventions conducted during versus after breast cancer treatment. Considering the PSQI subscales, exercise resulted in improvements of sleep quality (SMD - 0.28; 95% CI - 0.44 to - 0.11) and sleep disturbances (SMD - 0.26; 95% CI - 0.45 to - 0.06). Regarding the objective measurements, no significant effects were found. Physical as well as mind-body exercise can improve subjective sleep problems in breast cancer patients. In contrast, there was no effect of exercise on objective sleep measures. Future studies should clarify which type of intervention might be most effective depending on individual patients' and treatments' characteristics.

The rationalization of leisure time – the scarcity of emotional excitement in a health-promoting exercise intervention for women

ABSTRACT The aim of this article is to understand how the established biomedical perspective on the body enables and constrains participation in physical activity. Based on a sociological standpoint, an exercise intervention with middle-aged women is analysed through empirical material from observation (N = 57), focus groups (N = 51) and individual follow-up interviews (N = 21). The article finds that spinning is a highly routinized and structured activity that entails a prevailing health-promoting control of the emotions to complete and a scarcity of emotional excitement. The article concludes that the biomedical perspective involves a rationalization of leisure time that excludes the emotional excitement usually associated with sports. The emotional body should not be neglected when the (in)active body is problematized in public health. Additionally, participation in long-term exercise would be more likely if couched in an understanding of the activity as an aim in itself.

Role of exercise training in polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Preliminary evidence suggests exercise in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may improve reproductive and cardiometabolic parameters. Our primary aim was to determine the impact of exercise training on reproductive health in women with PCOS. Our secondary aim was to determine the effect of exercise training on cardiometabolic indices. A systematic review of published literature was conducted using MEDLINE and EMBASE based on a pre-published protocol (PROSPERO CRD42017065324). The search was not limited by year. Randomized controlled trials, non-randomized controlled trials and uncontrolled trials that evaluated an exercise intervention in women with PCOS and reported reproductive outcomes were included. Reproductive outcomes were analysed semi-quantitatively and a meta-analysis was conducted for reported cardiometabolic outcomes. Of 517 screened abstracts, 14 studies involving 617 women with PCOS were included: seven randomized controlled trials, one non-randomized controlled trial and six uncontrolled trials. There were insufficient published data to describe the effect of exercise interventions on ovulation quantitatively, but semi-quantitative analysis suggested that exercise interventions may improve menstrual regularity, pregnancy and ovulation rates. Our meta-analysis found that exercise improved lipid profiles and decreased waist circumference, systolic blood pressure and fasting insulin. The impact of exercise interventions on reproductive function remains unclear. However, our meta-analysis suggests that exercise interventions may improve cardiometabolic profiles in women with PCOS.

Physical activity and breast cancer: Results of a focus group to devise novel exercise interventions for women with breast cancer

Objective: To determine, from the diverse perspective of vested members of the health care team, novel exercise intervention strategies to implement within the cancer care institution in order to overcome barriers to exercise participation and promotion for women with breast cancer (BC).Methods: Design: Qualitative descriptive study. Setting: Cancer care institution. Participants: Health care professionals (HCPs) who work with women with BC. Intervention: A focus group was used to answer the research question. A moderator guided the focus group using a semi-structured script. Measurements: The focus group was recorded and transcribed. The transcript was coded independently using topic and analytical coding.Results: Three main issues came forth during analysis. These included a lack of (1) exercise programming and equipment available within the cancer care institution (2) communication with rehabilitation professionals, and (3) effective exercise education strategies available for patients with BC. Specific strategies were suggested to overcome each issue. Limitations: As purposeful sampling was used for recruitment, it is possible that participants agreed to be in this study because they had positive views on the need to incorporate exercise more effectively into practice.Conclusions: To our knowledge this is the first study to include a multidisciplinary team to come to a consensus on a knowledge translation exercise strategy. Findings show that future exercise interventions should implement active interventions within the cancer institution, include rehabilitation professionals as part of the health care team, and use technology to educate patients.

Nordic Walking as an Exercise Intervention to Reduce Pain in Women With Aromatase Inhibitor–Associated Arthralgia: A Feasibility Study

ContextWomen taking aromatase inhibitors as treatment for breast cancer commonly experience joint pain and stiffness (aromatase inhibitor–associated arthralgia [AIAA]), which can cause problems with adherence. There is evidence that exercise might be helpful, and Nordic walking could reduce joint pain compared to normal walking. ObjectivesTo determine the feasibility of a trial of Nordic walking as an exercise intervention for women with AIAA. MethodsA feasibility study was carried out in a sample of women with AIAA using a randomized control design. Women were randomized to exercise (six-week supervised group Nordic walking training once per week with an increasing independent element, followed by six weeks 4 × 30 minutes/week independent Nordic walking); or enhanced usual care. Data were collected on recruitment, retention, exercise adherence, safety, and acceptability. The Brief Pain Inventory, GP Physical Activity Questionnaire, and biopsychosocial measures were completed at baseline, six and 12 weeks. ResultsForty of 159 eligible women were recruited and attrition was 10%. There was no increased lymphedema and no long-term or serious injury. Adherence was >90% for weekly supervised group Nordic walking, and during independent Nordic walking, >80% women managed one to two Nordic walking sessions per week. From baseline to study end point, overall activity levels increased and pain reduced in both the intervention and control groups. ConclusionOur findings indicate that women with AIAA are prepared to take up Nordic walking, complete a six-week supervised course and maintain increased activity levels over a 12-week period with no adverse effects.

Body Composition And Physical Activity Maintenance One Year After A 12-week Exercise Intervention In Women

PURPOSE: Considerable individual variability in body fat changes occurs in response to aerobic exercise training, including fat loss and fat gain (Sawyer et al, J Strength Cond Res, 2015;29:297-304). It is not known whether losses or gains in body fat return to pre-training levels after cessation of a supervised training program. We hypothesized that regardless of body fat loss or gain in response to a 12-week supervised exercise program, during a 1-year follow-up the most significant predictor of changes in body fat from initial baseline to 1 year would be continued engagement in vigorous-intensity exercise. METHODS: Out of 81 sedentary women who completed the initial 12-week exercise intervention (3 days/wk for 30 min at 70% of VO2peak) 24 (age: 31±7.6yrs; BMI: 25.5±5.5 kg/m2) participated in 1-year follow-up study. Subjects underwent Dual-energy X-Ray Absorptiometry at baseline, 12-weeks and 15 months, and filled out the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF) at 15 months. RESULTS: After the initial 12-week exercise program, women were categorized as compensators or non-compensators based on the sum of estimated exercise energy expenditure and energy balance from body composition changes. 15 were compensators, and gained body fat during the initial 12-week program (0.76±1.14kg; p=0.002), but not at follow-up (0.22±3.25kg). 9 non-compensators lost body fat (-1.52±0.66kg; p<0.001) during the initial 12-week program, and experienced no further fat loss at follow-up (0.01±2.61kg). Regardless of initial body fat changes in response to the 12-week program, there was a significant group difference (p=0.003) in fat mass change from 12 weeks to follow-up between subjects who continued regular vigorous exercise (-2.21±3.07kg) and those who did not (+1.32±2.16kg). Energy compensation and body weight and body composition changes during the initial 12-week intervention were moderate predictors of body weight and body fat changes from baseline to follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: During a 1-year follow-up after a 12-week supervised exercise program, women displayed a net loss of fat mass during the follow-up period if regular vigorous exercise was continued, regardless of whether they were classified as compensators or non-compensators during the initial supervised program.

Feasibility and Acceptability of a Resistance Exercise Intervention: For Women Undergoing Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer

Resistance exercise can maintain muscle strength & physical functioning in women undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer. Few studies examined resistance exercise for reducing the neuromuscular side effects of chemotherapy. The purpose of this analysis was to examine the feasibility and acceptability of a resistance exercise intervention for women undergoing chemotherapy for the treatment of breast cancer. The data reported are from the final data collection interview of the intervention group (n=47) who participated in a randomized clinical trial testing a resistance exercise intervention for women with breast cancer. Data regarding feasibility and acceptability was collected using an investigator-developed questionnaire consisting of 6 Likert-scale items (range = 1-5), and 4 additional open-ended questions concerning exercise benefits and barriers. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the Likert-scale questions. A mean score of 3.0 or greater indicated that the intervention was acceptable. A content analysis was performed on the open-ended items. Five of six questions exceeded the 3.0 set point indicating women found the remaining aspects of the intervention feasible and acceptable. Challenges in exercise were symptoms, fatigue, and time constraints. The benefits from the exercise program consisted of increased strength and energy, emotional well-being, physical well-being. Study results suggest that resistance exercise intervention conducted during chemotherapy for breast cancer is feasible and acceptable. Social support for exercise was the most important factor in continuing an exercise program during chemotherapy. Study participants can be successfully recruited into a resistance exercise program during chemotherapy for breast cancer. However, stronger emphasis in symptom management during the early phases of the study is needed to prevent study withdrawal.

Effects Of A 6-month Exercise Intervention In Women At Risk For Cardiovascular Disease

Effects Of A 6-month Exercise Intervention In Women At Risk For Cardiovascular Disease

Gender differences in risk profile and response to a cardiac rehabilitation program after an acute coronary syndrome

Objectives: Women have a different distribution of lifestyle risk factors of coronary artery disease than men. In order to define the priorities of a cardiac rehabilitation program (CRP) for women, we compared the risk profile and the response to a CRP of women vs. men, in a cohort of patients with a recent admission for ACS submitted to our CRP. Material and methods: We studied 694 patients, 96 women (13.5%) and 598 men. We compared the risk profile and the modification of lifestyle related risk factors after an 8-week exercise-based CRP between men and women. Results: Men and women presented a similar distribution of risk factors (Table 1), except for abdominal obesity, which was the most prevalent risk factor in women and was significantly more prevalent in women compared to men, and for overweight. Functional capacity in METs assessed by a symptoms-limited exercise test on admission to CRP was significantly lower in women (6.3 vs. 7.9 METs, p <0.001). Adherence to CRP and usual pharmacological measures for secondary prevention were similar in both men and women. After CRP, both women and men experienced an important improvement in functional capacity (gain in METs 3.6 vs. 3.5, p = NS). However, despite dietary recommendations, only 25% of overweight women lost weight (average loss of 0.5 kg at the end of the program), and abdominal girth loss was modest in general, and significantly lower in women than in men (1.2 vs. 2.2 cm of abbominal girth reduction). At 3 months, only 74% of female smokers remained abstinent compared to 86% of men (p<0.05). This difference became greater at 12 months follow up (59% vs. 80% of abstinence, p<0.001). View this table: Risk factor distribution among men and women Conclusions: Men and women with a recent ACS submitted to our CRP have a similar risk profile in general terms, but show a different response to lifestyle modification interventions. CRP should reinforce smoking cessation, diet and physical exercise interventions in women, to promote adherence to recommendations in these minority group of patients.