Breast cancer survivors often experience weight gain after chemotherapy, particularly pre-menopausal women. This weight gain has been associated with an increased recurrence and death from breast cancer (Chlebowski et al. 2006). Researchers at the University of Washington and Oregon Health Sciences University suggested that exercise may be a low-cost, non-pharmacologic strategy to prevent or reverse weight changes in female cancer survivors. In their randomized controlled study, 112 women newly diagnosed with cancer were randomly assigned to a resistance exercise group, aerobic exercise group, or a control group (usual care). Both exercise groups performed their routines 4 times per week at their home for 12 months. Each exercise routine took 20 to 30 minutes and the exercises used the Borg Scale to maintain a “moderate” intensity level.

The resistance exercise group used Thera-Band® resistance bands or weight equipment in their home. They performed 3 to 4 upper and lower body exercises for 2 sets of 12 to 20 repetitions with progression in the resistance levels.  The aerobic exercise group performed enjoyable weight-bearing activities such as walking, jogging, or dancing. Subjects were assessed before the study, half-way through the study (6 months), and at the end of the 12 month study for body weight, aerobic capacity, muscle strength, and body fat.

Women in both exercise groups maintained or reduced their body weight while the control group gained significantly more weight. Both exercise groups also significantly increased their strength and aerobic capacity compared to the control group after 12 months. The authors concluded that both aerobic and resistance exercise training during and following cancer treatment are effective at preventing weight gain.

Even though both exercise types were effective, adherence rates in the resistance exercise group was less than the aerobic exercise group (65% vs. 79% respectively at 12 months); in fact, many in the resistance exercise group had included aerobic exercise as part of their routine. The authors suggested that the combination of aerobic and strength training during chemotherapy “may be an important goal during and following treatment to reduce cancer survivors’ risks for recurrence with other co-morbidities associated with sedentary lifestyles and being overweight.” In summary, Thera-Band elastic resistance can effectively be used to improve strength and maintain body weight in women during and after cancer treatment.

REFERENCE: Schwartz AL and Winters-Stone K. Effects of a 12-month randomized controlled trial of aerobic or resistance exercise during and following cancer treatment in women. 2009. Phys Sports Med. 3(37):1-6

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Disclosure: Thera-Band Academy provided bands for this study, but did not provide monetary funding.

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