The effects of exercise training on maximum aerobic capacity, rest heart beat, blood pressure and anthropometric variables of postmenopausal women with breast cancer

ABSTRACT. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of exercise training on maximum aerobic capacity, rest heart beat, blood pressure and anthropometric variables of postmenopausal women with breast cancer. Twenty nine women with breast cancer who received surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy with current hormone therapy divided into two groups; intervention and control. Subjects of intervention group performed 15 weeks combination exercise training including walking (2 sessions per week) and resistance training (2 sessions per week that different from walking days). Before and after 15 weeks, Vo2max, rest heart beat, blood pressure, body weight, body mass index (BMI) and waist to hip ratio (WHR) were measured in two groups. Data analyzed by using t- test. Significant differences were observed for Vo2max, rest heart beat, body weight, BMI and WHR between intervention and control groups (P< 0.05), after 15 weeks. In fact, exercise training had positive effects on the Vo2max, rest heart beat, body weight, BMI and WHR in postmenopausal women with breast cancer. No significant different was founded for blood pressure between two groups (P=0.193). In conclusion, exercise training can improve maximum aerobic capacity, rest heart beat and anthropometric variables in postmenopausal women with breast cancer.