Advisor(s)
Laura Rogers
Gordon Fisher
Committee Member(s)
Cody Morris
School
School of Education
Document Type
Thesis
Department (new version)
Education
Date of Award
9-9-2024
Abstract
Background: Advancements in research have caused the survival rate for breast cancer to increase making the population of breast cancer survivors (BCS) much larger than in previous decades. Breast cancer can have a lasting impression on a person’s quality of life (QoL) even after completing treatment. Breast cancer is also associated with various side effects as a result of treatment as well as comorbidities. Different types of exercise and physical activity have been shown to improve QoL as well as other health outcomes. Purpose: This study aimed to compare the effects of aerobic exercise versus flexibility and toning exercise on QoL and performance metrics in BCS. Methods: A 2-arm randomized controlled trial was conducted with 31 female BCS between the ages of 18 and 70. Seventeen participants were randomized to the aerobic exercise intervention group and 14 participants were randomized to the flexibility & toning standard attention control (SAC) group. The home-based study was conducted over the course of 10 weeks with supervised exercise sessions via video platform. Assessments pre- and post-intervention included 7-day accelerometer (weekly moderate-to-vigorous physical activity [MVPA]), 2-minute step test, and self-administered survey (QoL, walking self-efficacy, physical activity enjoyment, and self-reported weekly MVPA). Results: Only walking self-efficacy demonstrated a statistically significant group by time interaction with post hoc analyses indicating a mean within group difference (M)=-5.2 vs. M=+13.01 (p=0.027) for SAC group vs. aerobic intervention. Due to statistically significant time p value, post hoc LSD pairwise comparisons were done demonstrating statistically significant within group increase in 2-minute step test for the aerobic group (M=17.25 steps, p < 0.001 ) and an increase in self-report MVPA in the flexibility and toning group that approached statistical significance (M=84.31 weekly minutes, p = 0.054 ). Additionally, a correlation analysis showed no significant correlations between performance metrics and QoL metrics from pre-to-post intervention. Discussion: These findings suggest that aerobic exercise interventions can significantly improve confidence in the ability to walk for various amounts of time at a moderate pace. These emphasize the importance of exercise as a component of post cancer treatment. Future research should look at in person exercise interventions in a larger sample size and among participants of various races & ethnicities.
ProQuest ID
Recommended Citation
Anderson, Shannon, "Impact Of Exercise Modalities On Quality Of Life And Performance Metrics In Breast Cancer Survivors" (2024). All ETDs from UAB. 7636.
https://digitalcommons.library.uab.edu/etd-collection/7636
