Evaluation of the Impact of Adaptive Progressive Supervised Resistance Training on Strength and Quality of Life in Patients with Breast Cancer During Chemotherapy: The VALESCO Study.

Breast Cancer Patients (BCP) experience considerable side effects during and after treatment. Several studies have shown positive effects of exercise on therapy-related side-effects such as loss of muscle strength, loss of bone mineral density, lymphedema and several elements of quality of life (QoL). Resistance exercise has proven effective and beneficial for BCP; however optimal individual training parameters remain to be determined. The aim of our study was to implement an adaptive, progressive, supervised resistance protocol for breast cancer patients during chemotherapy, improving muscle strength, physical condition, and overall QoL while reducing therapy-induced side-effects. 40 patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy were included six to twelve weeks post-OP. 20 patients underwent high intensity resistance-training twice a week for twelve weeks, and the control group received usual care. Strength parameters improved significantly in the intervention group and in different scales of QoL. We documented a cyclic performance level underlining the importance of adaptive training and training control in further trials.

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S. Karger AG, Basel.