Cardiac Effects of a Rowing Training Program in Breast Cancer Survivors

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine whether a rowing training program could improve cardiac function in women (n = 28) with the mean age of 52.30 ± 3.78 years who survived breast cancer (stage 1: 4.55%; 2: 36.36%; 3: 54.54%; and 4: 4.55%) diagnosed 4.68 ± 3.00 years previously and underwent subsequent surgery (preservation: 56.52%; total mastectomy: 39.13%; and double mastectomy: 4.35%). Participants completed a 12-week training program consisting of three weekly sessions lasting 60–90 min with a progressive intensity increase according to the Börg scale. The assessments performed were blood pressure and pulse measurements both at rest and after performing the six-minute walk test to collect data on cardiac behavior and aerobic performance. The results showed statistically significant differences in cardiovascular system efficiency measured on the basis of heart rate both before (−12.63 ± 14.68 bpm) and after the six-minute walk test (−11.46 ± 28.39 bpm), increase in the distance achieved in the aerobic endurance test (51.56 ± 48.26 m) as well as decrease in diastolic (−13.6 ± 7.85 mm Hg) and systolic (−6.60 ± 9.10 mm Hg) blood pressure. These results suggest that rowing training programs could be a strategy to consider in this population for the benefits observed in heart rate, blood pressure and aerobic performance, which would lead to improved general health and quality of life.

Effects of a 6-Month Rowing Training Program in Breast Cancer Survivors

“…In short, based on the evidence found after carrying out the 6-month training protocol and comparing the results with other published studies [3,13,14,28], we can affirm that rowing is a beneficial and safe activity for women breast cancer survivors. The characteristics of this sport foster the development of physical fitness and encourage participation through the influence of group therapy.…”

“…Evidence shows that maintaining adequate levels of physical activity can contribute to reducing cancer-associated symptoms of pain, fatigue and depression [10,11]. In addition, a controlled training program can provide benefits in fitness-related variables such as endurance [12], muscle strength [13] and maintaining adequate body composition values [13][14][15]. Furthermore, studies suggest that reducing the time spent in sedentary activities and increasing physical activity can reduce cancer relapse and improve survival rates [2].…”

Remar en banco fijo mejora la condición física en mujeres supervivientes de cáncer de mama (Fixed Sit rowing improves fitness in female breast cancer survivors)

“…Para paliar los efectos secundarios relacionados con el cáncer de mama, la práctica regular de actividad física ha demostrado ser una herramienta fundamental para mantener las funciones físicas y mejorar la calidad de vida de las mujeres supervivientes de cáncer de mama (Gavala-González, Gálvez-Fernández, Mercadé-Melé, & Fernández-García, 2021;Gavala-González, Torres-Pérez, & Fernández-García, 2021), así como disminuir la recurrencia tumoral y aumentar la supervivencia (Marco Continente, Luesma Bartolomé, & Santander Ballestín, 2021). Los programas de intervención que fomentan la actividad física en este tipo de población, muestran beneficios significativos en cuanto a la funcionalidad de las participantes (Fernández et al, 2020;Gavala-González, Gálvez-Fernández, Mercadé-Melé, & Fernández-García, 2020), mejoras en los valores asociados a la fuerza muscular y la capacidad aeróbica (Dieli-Conwright et al, 2018;Rogers et al, 2023;Schulz et al, 2021) y una disminución significativa de los síntomas relacionados con el cáncer, como son las náuseas, la fatiga o el dolor (Mazzoni et al, 2023;Prieto-Gómez et al, 2022;Rogers et al, 2023), Estos beneficios contribuyen a mejorar, no solo el autoestima o el estado de forma de las mujeres que han superado la enfermedad, sino que también contribuyen a mejorar su calidad de vida y sus expectaciones en la vida (Fernández et al, 2020;Gavala-González, Torres-Pérez, et al, 2021).…”

Effects of a 6-Month Rowing Training Program in Breast Cancer Survivors

“…Evidence shows that 2 maintaining adequate levels of physical activity can contribute to reducing cancer-associated symptoms of pain, fatigue and depression [10,11]. In addition, a controlled training program can provide benefits in fitness-related variables such as endurance [12], muscle strength [13] and maintaining adequate body composition values [13][14][15]. Furthermore, studies suggest that reducing the time spent in sedentary activities and increasing physical activity can reduce cancer relapse and improve survival rates [2].…”