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Interval versus continuous aerobic exercise training in breast cancer survivors—a pilot RCT

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Abstract

Background

Exercise therapy is being explored in a variety of cancer populations to counteract treatment-related deconditioning. Higher intensity interval protocols are being prescribed to improve physical function and attenuate surrogates of comorbidity in non-cancer populations. The purpose of this study is to explore the safety of higher intensity exercise stimuli on cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2peak) in breast cancer survivors.

Methods

Postmenopausal breast cancer survivors were randomized into three groups: supervised aerobic interval training (AIT), supervised continuous moderate exercise training (CMT), and an unsupervised control group (CON). For 6 weeks, AIT exercised between 70 and 100 % VO2peak, while CMT exercised between 60 and 70 % VO2peak. Both groups followed a matched-work design.

Results

Thirty-three participants completed the study (age, 57.2 (9) years; weight, 67.6 (12) kg) with no adverse advents. Between-group baseline values were non-significant. VO2peak at baseline (25.3 (5.4) mL·kg−1·min−1) was below population norms. Compared to CON, cardiorespiratory fitness improved in AIT and CMT by 12 % (P < 0.001) with no significant difference between exercise groups. AIT had a greater influence on lower extremity strength (P = 0.026) and body weight (P = 0.031).

Conclusion

This pilot study provides evidence that similar to CMT, AIT can safely increase VO2peak in a small group of breast cancer survivors. Further exploration of the benefits of implementing higher intensity training protocols is warranted.

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Acknowledgments

LBD was supported by a doctoral research award from the Canadian Institutes of Health and Research. The authors would like to acknowledge Dr. Sara Forsyth and Dr. Tom Green for assisting with blood draws as well as the participants for their commitment to the study.

Funding

The BC Sports Medicine Research Foundation financially supported this work.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Author contributions

LBD, KC, KG, SN, DH, and DCM contributed to the research question, study design, data interpretation, and manuscript preparation. LBD contributed to the data collection, data analysis, exercise testing, design, and supervision.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada

    Lianne B. Dolan & Donald C. McKenzie

  2. Department of Physical Therapy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada

    Kristin Campbell

  3. Department of Medical Oncology, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC, Canada

    Karen Gelmon

  4. School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada

    Sarah Neil-Sztramko

  5. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, St. Paul’s Hospital Vancouver British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada

    Daniel Holmes

  6. Division of Sports Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada

    Donald C. McKenzie

  7. Allan McGavin Sports Medicine Clinic, 3055 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, Canada

    Lianne B. Dolan

Authors
  1. Lianne B. Dolan
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  2. Kristin Campbell
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  3. Karen Gelmon
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  4. Sarah Neil-Sztramko
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  5. Daniel Holmes
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  6. Donald C. McKenzie
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lianne B. Dolan.

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Dolan, L.B., Campbell, K., Gelmon, K. et al. Interval versus continuous aerobic exercise training in breast cancer survivors—a pilot RCT. Support Care Cancer 24, 119–127 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-015-2749-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-015-2749-y

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