Breast Cancer, Cervical Cancer, Gynecologic Cancer, Ovarian Cancer, Uterine Cancer
Conditions
Keywords
Cancer, Breast Cancer, Gynecologic Cancer, Strength Training, Exercise, Physical Activity, Fatigue, Quality of Life, Strength, Fitness, Cancer Survivor, Survivor
Brief summary
The purpose of this study is to compare once-a-week vs. twice-a-week strength training in survivors of breast and gynecologic cancer to determine which is the optimal exercise prescription.
Detailed description
As a result of cancer and its treatment, survivors of breast and gynecologic cancer are reported to have deficits in both physical and psycho-social health. In cancer survivors exercise has been shown to improve fitness, increase bone density and lean body mass, enhance self-esteem, and reduce fatigue. These changes have a positive effect on the survivor's physical functioning and quality of life. However, there are few studies which have examined the effects of strength training or studies aimed at determining optimal exercise prescription in this population. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to compare two strength training prescriptions (once-a-week vs. twice-a-week strength training) to determine which prescription (if any) results in greater benefit for survivors. It is hoped that the results of this study will lead to a better understanding of how strength training improves the health of survivors and will help inform future exercise guidelines for this population.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALStrength Training
This is a 13 week strength training program. Sessions will be supervised by a Certified Exercise Physiologist in a group setting.
Sponsors
Dalhousie University
Nova Scotia Health Authority
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SCREENING
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Female Survivor of Breast or Gynecologic Cancer * Completed Primary Treatment (hormone treatments are ok) * 18 years of age or older * Physician's Permission to Participate
Exclusion criteria
* High Risk Individuals (determined by questionnaire) * Secondary Health Problems that could increase the risk of participating (Includes but not limited to: Uncontrolled angina/hypertension, heart failure, osteoporosis, brain metastases, history of seizures). * Report participating in a strength training program in the past six (6) months * Have had a change in medication in the past 30 days
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Changes in Muscular Strength | Baseline (end of week 1); Midpoint (end of week 7); Final (end of week 13) | Muscular Strength will be assessed using the predicted one-repetition maximum method (Brzycki method)using the bench press and leg press to measure upper and lower body strength. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Process Measures | Final (end of week 13) | Process measures will provide insight about the feasibility of the exercise prescriptions. Included measures are: recruitment (percent of interested survivors who consent); adherence (the number of sessions attended); compliance (the degree to which the survivors follow the exercise prescription); and safety (all adverse events will be recorded) |
| Changes in Muscular Endurance | Baseline (end of week 1); Midpoint (end of week 7); Final (end of week 13) | Muscular Endurance will be assessed using the standard load test. Participants will lift a weight equal to 50% one repetition maximum as many times as possible. The bench press and leg press will be used to measure endurance of the upper and lower body. |
| Changes in Body Composition | Baseline (end of week 1); Midpoint (end of week 7); Final (end of week 13) | Body composition will be assessed using bioelectric impedance to determine percent body fat, lean body mass, and fat mass. |
| Changes in Quality of Life | Baseline (end of week 1); Midpoint (end of week 7); Final (end of week 13) | Quality of Life will be assessed using the Medical Outcomes Survey - Short Form. This survey measures multiple aspects of quality of life including: physical function, role-physical, bodily-pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, role-emotional, and mental health. |
| Changes in Fatigue | Baseline (end of week 1); Midpoint (end of week 7); Final (end of week 13) | Fatigue will me measured using the Fatigue scale of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Treatment. This is a 13 item questionnaire that measures the degree to which a cancer survivor experiences fatigue |
| Changes in Physical Activity Levels | Baseline (end of week 1); Midpoint (end of week 7); Final (end of week 13) | Physical activity will be estimated using the Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire. |
Countries
Canada
Outcome results
None listed