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Resistance training in breast cancer patients undergoing primary treatment: a systematic review and meta-regression of exercise dosage

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Abstract

Background

Exercise is recognised as an adjunct therapy for breast cancer patients; however, little is known about the resistance training dose–response. We conducted a systematic review and meta-regression to examine the resistance training dose–response (i.e., volume and intensity) in breast cancer patients undergoing primary treatment.

Methods

Searches in MEDLINE, CINAHL, and SPORTDiscus were conducted for studies published up to November 2019. Experimental studies that evaluated resistance-based exercise interventions in women with breast cancer undergoing primary treatment were included. Information about resistance training components, average change and change per week, as well as standardised mean difference were extracted, and used for meta-regression analysis. Outcome measures were upper and lower body muscle strength and body composition.

Results

10 trials were included in the systematic review and 4 trials in the dose–response analysis. Resistance training weekly prescribed volume was inversely associated with increases in upper and lower body muscle strength (r2 = 98.1–100%; p = 0.009), although there was no relationship between resistance training intensity and strength gains. There was insufficient data for the dose–response analysis of body mass index, percent body fat, and lean mass.

Conclusion

Low volume resistance training might be a suitable exercise recommendation for breast cancer patients undergoing primary treatment producing superior benefits for muscle strength compared to higher volume training, regardless of the training intensity. Low volume resistance training may provide a conservative and appropriate approach for breast cancer patients, allowing gradual progression and modification throughout the exercise program.

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Acknowledgements

Pedro Lopez is supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Centre of Research Excellence (CRE) in Prostate Cancer Survivorship Scholarship. Daniel A. Galvão and Robert U. Newton are funded by a NHMRC CRE in Prostate Cancer Survivorship. The results of the study are presented clearly, honestly, without fabrication, falsification, or inappropriate data manipulation.

Funding

Sponsors had no involvement in the study design, analysis or interpretation of data, manuscript writing and decision to submit the manuscript for publication.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Exercise Medicine Research Institute, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive, Perth, Western Australia, 6027, Australia

    Pedro Lopez, Daniel A. Galvão, Dennis R. Taaffe & Robert U. Newton

  2. School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia

    Pedro Lopez, Daniel A. Galvão, Dennis R. Taaffe & Robert U. Newton

  3. School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

    Robert U. Newton

  4. Exercise Research Laboratory, Physical Education, Physiotherapy, and Dance School, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

    Giovani Souza & Ronei S. Pinto

  5. School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

    Gabriel S. Trajano

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  1. Pedro Lopez
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Contributions

Substantial contributions to the conception and design of the work were done by PL; DAG, and RSP. The systematic search and data extraction were done by PL and GS. The work draft and revision, as well as the approval of the final version, were done by PL, DAG, DRT, RUN, GS, GST, and RSP. In addition, all aspects of this work related to the accuracy or integrity were ensured by PL, DAG, DRT, RUN, GS, GST, and RSP.

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Correspondence to Pedro Lopez.

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Lopez, P., Galvão, D.A., Taaffe, D.R. et al. Resistance training in breast cancer patients undergoing primary treatment: a systematic review and meta-regression of exercise dosage. Breast Cancer 28, 16–24 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12282-020-01147-3

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