Knobf MT, et al. – A comparative assessment was performed of the effects of a 12–month aerobic–resistance fitness center intervention to home based physical activity on cardiovascular function and metabolic risk factors. It was discovered that exercise served as a potential cardiac risk reduction intervention for cancer survivors.

Methods

• The eligible candidates were individuals (N = 154) who had completed primary and/or adjuvant chemotherapy (past 3 years).
• They were randomized to a fitness center intervention or a home based group.
• The fitness center intervention was a structured thrice weekly aerobic (30 min brisk walking treadmill in target heart range) combined with resistance (30 min of lower body strength training) exercise program, supervised for the first 6 months.
• The home based group received national guidelines for 30 min moderate intensity exercise most days of the week.
• Fasting serum samples were yielded at baseline, 6 and 12 months for insulin, glucose, lipids and hemoglobin A-1C.
• A graded exercise stress test at baseline and 6 months was carried out.

Results

• Maximum enrollees were white (85.7%), had breast cancer (83.1%) and the average age was 51.9 years.
• Those in the fitness center intervention reported prominently improved time on treadmill (p = .039), improved heart rate recovery at 1 min (p = .028), greater MET minutes/week (p ≤ .0001), a trend for improved insulin resistance (p = .067) and stable insulin levels (p = .045) compared to the home based physical activity group.