Aquatic exercise training in the process of rehabilitation in patients after breast cancer treatment

Patients were qualified by the physician responsible for the course and interpretation of the test results. Prior to the implementation of the experiment, all subjects were informed about its purpose, manner of conducting and the possibility of resignation at any time during the research project. The respondents gave written consent to participate in the research. In addition, there was an information meeting on the impact of the effects of various forms of physical activity on the function of the trunk flexors and extensors, and body posture in sagittal plane. The subjects were divided into two groups: group I: women subjected to the aquatic exercise training. group II: patients subjected to the general improving exercise, which is the standard after a breast cancer treatment in Poland. 8-week aquatic exercise training and general fitness exercise were conducted. Each of the exercise programs were administered by physiotherapist. The exercise regimens were implemented on the basis of similar organization of individual training units. Each training unit within different exercise regimens involved preliminary and final stages (equivalent across the regimens both in terms of duration and selection of activity types) and the main stage (specific to each particular regimen). Aquatic exercise training and general fitness exercise comprised free active exercising (performed independently by the patient, without the help of a physiotherapist or specialized equipment) of the upper and lower extremities (e.g squat, lunge), and activities strengthening the muscles of the back (e.g wall sits, back extensions) and abdomen (e.g partial crunches, knee to chest,), complemented by balance and coordination exercises (e.g single leg squat, balance walk). The water exercise plan was additionally provided with walking forwards and backwards in the water. Physical exercises in the two study groups were pursued for eight weeks at a frequency of two 45-minute training sessions a week. The basic parameter defining the intensity of physical exercise was the pulse limit. With an aid of Polar pulse meters (RS 300 × G1 model), cardiac rhythm monitoring was combined with temporal options by setting a pulse range within which physical exercise was performed. The intensity of exercise oscillated around 70–75% of the maximum pulse rate determined individually for each study patient using the formula: 220 – age. Exercise intensity was adjusted by gradually reducing the number of resting intervals and increasing the number of repetitions in exercise series or the distance covered. The number of restitution intervals consisting of upper extremity relaxation and respiratory exercise was reduced every other week, beginning with five intervals (weeks 1–2) and ending with two (weeks 7–8). During the same period, the number of exercise repetitions in series was increased from 10 (weeks 1–2) to 16 (weeks 7–8) in the two study groups.