The number of breast cancer patients keeps increasing every year, however due to improved treatment methods, the number of survivors is increasing as well. In addition to effective treatment, post-treatment patient follow-ups are equally important, as they might face many problems.
Strength training is one of the means that can be used to improve the quality of life for breast cancer survivors. The aim of this thesis is to determine the impact of minimal strength training intervention (once per week) under professional supervision on the body composition and mobility in breast cancer survivors.
Study included 20 breast cancer survivors, of whom 16 successfully completed it. The subjects underwent body composition measurements with a BioScan 920-II bioimpedance device before and after a 10-week strength training programme, as well as performed mobility tests including a 6-minute walk test, Sit to Stand Test (5 repetitions), a 30-Second Chair Stand Test, a fist clench test, 6 RM horizontal cable rows and a leg press test. In addition to these tests, the subjects also completed a physical activity questionnaire prior to the start of the programme. Strength training was performed once a week. Each training unit consisted of a 10-minute warm-up, a main part consisting of 10 exercises and a 5-minute final part. The exercises in the main part of the training unit were performed at 70-80% of 1RM in 10-12 repetitions and 3 sets.
Results show statistically significant changes in the 6RM cable rows (p = 0.005) and the 6RM leg press test (p = 0.001). In addition, there were also statistically significant changes in the dominant (p = 0.005) and non-dominant (p < 0.001) hand fist clench test, as well as the 6-min walk test (p < 0.001). No statistically significant changes in body composition were detected.
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