•  
  •  
 

IDENTIFICATION OF A PREFERRED EXERCISE MODALITY FOR BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS

Abstract

IDENTIFICATION OF A PREFERRED EXERCISE MODALITY FOR BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS

J. Larsen, C. Hansen, and J. Knuth.

Washington State University, Spokane, WA

Research has established that breast cancer survivors acquire many health benefits from regular participation in exercise, such as increased quality of life, fitness, and strength. However, post-treatment some breast cancer survivors remain sedentary. One barrier could be disinterest with the type of exercise. PURPOSE: To identify an exercise modality that involves a creative workout with functional movements incorporating the whole body that would be ideal for rehabilitation of breast cancer survivors. METHODS: For this pilot study, we conducted a seven-week exercise intervention with classes occurring three days each week. Sixteen relatively healthy women were randomized into floor/step aerobics or treadmill walking classes. Class duration and intensity were modified specifically for a cancer survivor population. At the program midpoint and the final session, participants were asked to rate several statements about their class experience on a Likert scale. RESULTS: Participants in the floor/step aerobics group expressed significantly greater satisfaction with their arm workout than did those in the treadmill walking group (9.31 ± 2.25 vs. 5.75 ± 2.19; p=0.006). They also indicated a trend toward greater satisfaction with the workout creativity (10.63 ± 1.88 vs. 9.13 ± 2.95; p=0.20) and their mental stimulation during exercise (10.25 ± 1.58 vs. 8.38 ± 2.83; p=0.12). The groups expressed similar satisfaction with their leg workout (10.81 ± 0.85 vs. 11.25 ± 0.89; p=0.31) and their ability to maintain a moderate intensity (10.56 ± 1.12 vs. 10.56 ± 0.73; p=1.00). CONCLUSIONS: Both exercise modalities appear to provide satisfactory lower body workouts. However, floor/step aerobics can also provide arm and shoulder exercises for rehabilitating patients who have had radiation or surgery. Participants in the floor/step aerobics group found their work out to be more creative and mentally stimulating than those in the treadmill walking group; breast cancer survivors might find this modality to be more enjoyable and be more likely to adhere to a floor/step aerobics program. Therefore, floor/step aerobics might be a preferred modality and have additional benefits over treadmill walking for breast cancer survivors.

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS