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Combined aerobic and resistance training improves physical capacity in women treated for gynecological cancer

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of 16 weeks combined aerobic and resistance training, twice a week, on the physical performance in women treated for gynecological cancer.

Methods

Sixty women (56.9 ± 13.3 years) who had completed curative treatment for gynecological cancer were divided into two groups: a physical training group (PT) (n = 29) or a control group (C) (n = 31). The PT group performed two sessions of combined aerobic and resistance training weekly for 16 weeks. Peak oxygen consumption (V̇O2peak) and one repetition maximum (1RM) of leg press, leg extension, and chest press were measured before group assignment, after 16 weeks and at the 1-year follow-up.

Results

A significant increase in V̇O2peak (ml min−1 kg−1) (29.7 ± 8.0 vs. 31.3 ± 8.3, p = .009), leg press (kg) (113.0 ± 27.3 vs. 116.7 ± 29.2, p = .047), leg extension (kg) (44.2 ± 10.1 vs. 48.0 ± 10.6, p < .001), and chest press (kg) (24.5 ± 7.5 vs. 26.9 ± 8.2, p = .001) was seen in the PT group from pre- to post-measurement. The PT group maintained the improved aerobic condition and muscle strength 1 year after the training intervention. In the C group, there were no significant differences between pre- and post-measurements, but a significant decrease (28.2 ± 7.5 vs. 27.0 ± 7.3, p = .040) in the V̇O2peak from post to 1-year follow-up measurements.

Conclusions

Combined aerobic and resistance training twice a week in 16 weeks improves V̇O2peak and maximal strength in women treated for gynecological cancer. The training effects were sustained after 1 year in the PT group.

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Acknowledgements

We wish to thank Grieg Foundation and the women who participated in the intervention study.

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Correspondence to E. Johannsson.

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The study was in accordance with and approved by the Regional Committee for Medical Research Ethics.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Informed consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Hausmann, F., Iversen, V.V., Kristoffersen, M. et al. Combined aerobic and resistance training improves physical capacity in women treated for gynecological cancer. Support Care Cancer 26, 3389–3396 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-018-4185-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-018-4185-2

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