Effects of Combined Aerobic and Stretching Exercises on the Cardiopulmonary Parameters of Premenopausal and Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Survivors.

BACKGROUND: Therapeutic approaches that will improve the reduced cardiopulmonary functions of breast cancer (BC) survivors are of optimal importance. The effects of aerobic exercise on health-related outcomes of BC survivors have been reported while there is a dearth of information on the effects of combined aerobic and stretching exercises on cardiopulmonary parameters of female BC survivors.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the effects of combined aerobic and stretching exercises on cardiopulmonary functions of premenopausal and postmenopausal Breast cancer (BC) survivors.

METHODS: Fifty-four eligible BC survivors participated in the study but four-eight completed it. They were randomly' assigned to groups A and B and each group had two subgroups; subgroup 1 (premenopausal) and subgroup 2 (postmenopausal). Group A underwent combined aerobic exercise using treadmill and stretching exercises for 12 weeks while Group B was the control group.

RESULTS: Significant changes were observed in the cardiovascular parameters of participants in Groups A,,,,, (Resting systolic blood pressure (A1:p = 0.01*; A2: p = 0.01*), Resting diastolic blood pressure (A1: p = 0.01*; A2: p = 0.004*), Resting rate pressure product (A1: p 0.001*; A2: p = 0.02*). Significant changes were also observed in the pulmonary parameters of participants of Groups A(1&2) (Arterioxyhaemoglobin saturation (A,:p = 0.001*; A2:p = 0.02*), Forced vital capacity (A1:p = 0.13; A2: p = 0.05*), maximal oxygen uptake (A1:p = 0.03*; A2: p = 0.15).

CONCLUSION: Combined aerobic and stretching exercises brought about significant therapeutic effects on selected cardiopulmonary parameters in female BC survivors.