The Importance of Physical Exercise in Cardiovascular Fitness in Breast Cancer Survivors. A Cross-sectional Study: Women in Motion 2.0.”

PurposeTo compare the cardiovascular fitness of breast cancer (BC) survivors with an active lifestyle to those with a sedentary lifestyle. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted. Participants were classified into four different groups: sedentary with BC (Sed-BCW), active with BC (Act-BCW), sedentary without BC (Sed-HW) and active without BC (Act-HW). VO2max was estimated by the 6-minute walking test (6MWT); speed was measured by the 35-meter test; isometric strength was measured by dynamometry tests; lower body maximum strength was measured by the squat test; explosive strength was measured by the Sargent Jump Test; balance was measured by the 30-second balance test; and body composition was measured by bioimpedance. ANOVA was used to analyze group differences and post hoc comparisons were developed with the Bonferroni test. ResultsA total of 92 women were recruited. Significant differences were found in VO2max between the Act-BCW and Sed-BCW groups (MeanDif=5.86, p<0.001). No differences in VO2max were observed between the active groups (MeanDif= 0.42, p= 0.753). Related body composition and fat mass levels were significantly lower in the Act-BCW group than in the sedentary groups (Sed-BCW MeanDif= -6.78; p= 0.012 and Sed-HW MeanDif= -12.07; p<0.001) ConclusionsWomen who are Act-BCW can achieve similar values in physical condition as women who are Act-HW and have better values than women in who are sedentary. Moreover, physical exercise might be a stronger determinant of body composition than a previous history of BC.