Effects of strength training on body composition of breast cancer survivors Kathryn H. Schmitz, Rehana L. Ahmed, Douglas Yee. University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN. PURPOSE: Fat gain experienced by many women undergoing adjuvant therapy for breast cancer (BrCa) may place survivors at increased risk for recurrence and other chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Lean mass loss associated with breast cancer therapies may lead to decreased quality of life through a decreased ability to complete common activities of daily living. There is also bone mineral loss associated with some BrCa adjuvant therapy regimens that may place survivors at increased risk for osteoporosis. METHODS: We conducted a 6 month randomized controlled trial in 71 recent BrCa survivors to assess the effects of twice weekly progressive resistance training on body fat, lean mass, and bone mineral density in the pelvis and spine. Randomization was stratified by percent body fat at baseline. Groups of 4 BrCa survivors met with a certified fitness professional twice weekly over 13 weeks for supervised sessions, followed by 13 weeks of the same exercise program on their own. The protocol included 10 exercises, 5 for the upper body, 5 for the lower body. The protocol for the lower body exercises was a standard progressive strength training approach of performing 3 sets of the most weight a participant could lift over 10 repetitions. The protocol for the upper body was designed to allow women to proceed more cautiously, with smaller weight increments, to acknowledge that some participants had lymphedema and others were high risk for lymphedema. Mean attendance level was 94% over 6 months, with a range of 85 to 109% in the 34 women randomized to treatment. Body composition variables were assessed by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. Regression models predicting body composition outcomes from treatment status were adjusted for age, education, and use of medications thought to alter body fat, lean mass, or bone density (principally tamoxifen, anastrazole, and letrozole). CONCLUSIONS: Twice weekly progressive resistance training is an exercise regimen that BrCa survivors find behaviorally feasible and leads to improvement in body composition variables, particularly lean mass. An increase in lean mass may assist BrCa survivors in improving quality of life by supporting a timely return to activities of daily living after treatment. There does not seem to be any effect of resistance training on bone mineral density in BrCa survivors. Supported by Susan Komen Foundation BCTR 1011442 and NIH M01-RR00400. AACR Abstract Number: R5691, 2003 Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.