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Training‐related improvements in musculoskeletal health and balance: a 13‐week pilot study of female cancer survivors
Author(s) -
Almstedt H.C.,
Grote S.,
Perez S.E.,
Shoepe T.C.,
Strand S.L.,
Tarleton H.P.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
european journal of cancer care
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.849
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1365-2354
pISSN - 0961-5423
DOI - 10.1111/ecc.12442
Subject(s) - medicine , lean body mass , physical therapy , isometric exercise , bone mineral , bone health , femoral neck , balance (ability) , balance test , anabolism , aerobic exercise , cancer , strength training , physical medicine and rehabilitation , osteoporosis , body weight
Cancer survivors often experience poor post‐treatment musculoskeletal health. This study examined the feasibility of combined aerobic and resistant training (CART) for improving strength, skeletal health and balance. Cancer survivors ( n = 24) were identified by convenience sampling in Los Angeles County with 11 survivors consenting to 13 weeks of CART. Pre‐ and post‐intervention assessments of bone mineral density (BMD), strength, flexibility and biomarker analysis were performed. Paired t ‐test analysis suggested increases in lower and upper body strength. The average T ‐score for BMD at the femoral neck improved from −1.46 to −1.36 and whole body BMD improved from −1.65 to −1.55. From baseline to follow‐up, participants also displayed decreases in sway velocity on the eyes open (7%) and eyes closed (27%) conditions. Improvement in lower body strength was associated with increases in lean body mass (LBM) ( r = 0.721) and an inverse association was observed between sway velocity and LBM ( r = 0.838). Age and time since last treatment were related with biomarkers of anabolic growth (IGF‐1, IGFbp‐3) and bone (DPD, BAP). In summary, observed physiological changes were consistent with functional improvements, suggesting that isometric and dynamic exercise prescription may reduce the risk for falls and fall‐related fractures among survivors.