Physical fitness and blood parameters outcomes of breast cancer survivor in a low-intensity circuit resistance exercise program

Abstract

There is limited evidence regarding the effect of circuit-type low-intensity resistance exercise on physical fitness and blood parameters in breast cancer survivors (BCSs). Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of low-intensity circuit resistance exercise on changes in physical fitness and blood parameters in BCSs. A total of 16 BCSs participated in a low-intensity circuit resistance exercise group (LCREG). The exercise program in the LCREG consisted of 50–60% of one repetition maximum, two to three times weekly, for 24 weeks. The control group (CG) did not receive any interventions. All participants were measured for physical fitness and blood parameters before and after the exercise intervention. The results showed that LCREG significantly improved body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.012), grip strength (p = 0.017), back strength (p = 0.042), plank (p = 0.036), balance (p = 0.030), low-density lipoproteins (LDL) (p = 0.050), total cholesterol (p = 0.017), and natural killer cell activity (NKCA) (p = 0.035) after exercise compared to before exercise. The LCREG also significantly improved BMI (p = 0.001), grip strength (p = 0.014), plank (p = 0.018), balance (p = 0.012), LDL (p = 0.024), total cholesterol (p = 0.012), and NKCA (p = 0.036) compared to the CG. These findings suggest that low-intensity circuit resistance exercise can increase physical fitness levels and improve the blood index in BCSs.

Keywords

• physical fitness
• circuit resistance training
• natural killer cell activation
• insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3
• breast cancer survivors