The effect of a 10-week aerobic exercise on cardiac function among overweight female breast cancer survivors; a randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common and deadliest cancer among women.Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 10-week aerobic exercise on cardiac function among overweight female breast cancer survivors.Patients and Methods: This triple-blinded randomized clinical trial was carried out among 25 overweight female breast cancer survivors (age range; 30-55 years). The aerobic exercise training protocol was performed for 10 weeks with an intensity of 40 to 75 of maximal heart rate. Anthropometric parameters and body composition of patients were measured (pre-test/post-test design). Echocardiography was used to determine the ejection fraction and pulmonary artery pressure of the patients too.Results: There was no significant difference between anthropometric parameters and body composition of patients in the control and exercise groups. Additionally, there was a significant difference in the ejection fraction (P = 0.001), PAP (P = 0.025) and VO2max between patients of control and exercise groups (P = 0.001). Conclusion: A 10-week aerobic exercise leads to an increase in the levels of VO2max, ejection fraction and pulmonary arterial pressure. Trial Registration: Registration of trial protocol has been approved by Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (identifier: IRCT20190218042745N1, https://www.irct.ir/trial/37684, ethical code; IR.MUI.REC.1396.2.082).