Purpose This study assessed the effects of 12-week supervised resistance training combined with home-based physical activity on physical fitness, cancer-related fatigue, depressive symptoms, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and life satisfaction in female breast cancer survivors. Methods A parallel-group, outcome assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial included 60 female breast cancer survivors who had completed their core treatments within the previous 10 years. Through computer-generated simple randomization, participants were assigned to resistance training (RTG; two sessions/week for 12 weeks plus instructions to undertake ≥ 10,000 steps/d) or control (CG; ≥ 10,000 steps/d only). Outcomes were evaluated at baseline and week 12. Muscular strength was assessed with electromechanical dynamometry. A standardized full-body muscular strength score was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included cardiorespiratory fitness, shoulder mobility, cancer-related fatigue, depressive symptoms, HRQoL, and life satisfaction. Results Thirty-two participants were assigned to RTG (29 achieved ≥ 75% attendance) and 28 to CG (all completed the trial). Intention-to-treat analyses revealed that the standardized full-body muscular strength score increased significantly in the RTG compared to the CG (0.718; 95% CI 0.361–1.074, P < 0.001, Cohen's d = 1.04). This increase was consistent for the standardized scores of upper-body (0.727; 95% CI 0.294–1.160, P = 0.001, d = 0.87) and lower-body (0.709; 95% CI 0.324–1.094, P = 0.001, d = 0.96) strength. There was no effect on cardiorespiratory fitness, shoulder flexion, cancer-related fatigue, depressive symptoms, HRQoL, or life satisfaction. The sensitivity analyses confirmed these results. Conclusion and implication for cancer survivors. In female breast cancer survivors who had completed their core treatments within the past 10 years, adding two weekly sessions of supervised resistance training to a prescription of home-based physical activity for 12 weeks produced a large increase in upper-, lower-, and full-body muscular strength, while other fitness components and patient-reported outcomes did not improve. Trial registration number. ISRCTN14601208.

Background: Although breast cancer (BC) is the most prevalent type of cancer in the world, its high survival rate implies that many people live long after the treatments and face their side effects. The physical function (PF) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of people surviving BC decreases significantly, which makes important to identify markers that may be associated with a better health status and prognosis. Previous studies suggest that handgrip strength (HGS) and HGS relative to the body mass index (rHGS) are good indicators of PF and HRQoL in different populations. However, it is unknown whether this applies to BC survivors. This study aimed to evaluate the association of HGS and rHGS with PF and HRQoL in this population. Methods: Sixty female BC survivors participated. Handgrip strength was assessed with a dynamometer. Arm volume was estimated and upper limb impairments, as well as cancer-related fatigue, depression, life satisfaction and HRQoL, were assessed using standardized questionnaires. Results: Higher levels of HGS and rHGS were associated with higher levels of HRQoL, lower cancer-related fatigue, and fewer problems with the affected arm. Conclusions: These results suggest that HGS may be a good indicator of self-reported PF and HRQoL in female BC survivors.

This study aimed to describe the acceleration–speed (AS) profile of soccer players during competition and to analyse their seasonal changes and inter-player differences. The AS profile values (theoretical maximum acceleration (A0) and speed (S0)) of 14 elite soccer players were studied in 18 matches, which were divided into five season periods. The main findings showed the A0 (6.20 ± 0.51 m/s2) and S0 (9.18 ± 0.58 m/s) average team season values. Significant individual changes (p < 0.05 and effect size (Eta-squared, η2) > 0.5) were confirmed for A0 (Players 4 and 8) and S0 (Players 6, 8 and 11). Additionally, standard deviations (SD±) confirmed small (±0.20–0.60) to moderate (±0.60–1.20) seasonal variations for most players in A0 (SD range: ±0.22 to ±0.69 m/s2) and S0 (SD range: ±0.27 to ±0.90 m/s). SD showed small to moderate inter-player differences for each period for A0 (SD range: ±0.39 to ±0.61 m/s2) and S0 (SD range: ±0.53 to ±0.61 m/s). In summary, coaches are recommended to assess the AS profile to diagnose potential player seasonal changes in sprinting performance, especially for A0, which seems to be more sensitive to variations than S0.

Objetivo: Evaluar la asociación entre la fuerza de prensión manual (FPM) y diversos parámetros de condición física y composición corporal en mujeres supervivientes de cáncer de mama. Método: Se realizó un estudio transversal con los datos basales del ensayo clínico EFICAN (Ejercicio FÍsico para supervivientes de CÁNcer de mama). Participaron 60 mujeres supervivientes de cáncer de mama que habían terminado los tratamientos centrales de la enfermedad en los 10 años previos al comienzo del estudio, que no presentaban enfermedad pulmonar o cardiovascular, cáncer de mama metastásico, ni tenían prevista una intervención para reconstrucción mamaria en un plazo de 3 meses desde el comienzo del estudio. Se evaluó la fuerza de prensión manual mediante dinamometría manual, la fuerza muscular isométrica pico mediante dinamometría electromecánica funcional, el fitness cardiorrespiratorio (VO2máx) se estimó a través del Siconolfi step test, la amplitud de movimiento (ADM) en flexión de hombro mediante goniometría digital, y la composición corporal mediante bioimpedancia. Resultados: Se observó una asociación positiva de la FPM con la masa muscular (r=0.423), y con la fuerza isométrica de miembro superior (r=0.523) e inferior (r=0.335), y una asociación negativa de la FPM con el porcentaje de grasa corporal (r=-0.405). Sin embargo, no se encontró asociación entre FPM y VO2máx ni ADM del hombro (P>0.05). Conclusiones: Estos resultados sugieren que la FPM puede ser un buen indicador de fuerza muscular, así como de composición corporal en mujeres supervivientes de cáncer de mama. Futuros estudios prospectivos deberán evaluar el valor predictivo de la FPM en esta población.

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