Mat Pilates improves lower and upper body strength and flexibility in breast cancer survivors undergoing hormone therapy: a randomized controlled trial (HAPiMat study).

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of 24 weeks of Mat Pilates in breast cancer survivors (BCS) undergoing hormone therapy on lower and upper body muscle strength parameters and flexibility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-three BCS (≥40 years) with confirmed breast cancer stage 0-III undergoing hormone therapy were included. Participants were randomized into Mat Pilates (three times/week, 60 min session) or control group (relaxation activities every two weeks). The difficulty and number of exercise repetitions were increased over the weeks. Assessments were performed at three times points (baseline, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks). The generalized estimating equations (GEE) model was used to compare each outcome measure during the analysis of intention to treat (ITT) and "Per protocol analysis" (PPA). RESULTS: The Pilates group presented significantly increased (p < 0.05) isometric flexor-extensor PT, and concentric and eccentric flexor PT and mechanical work (MW) after the intervention. Most of the upper body strength parameters, time to achieve maximal force (TFmax), maximal force (Fmax), and rapid force index (RFI) and right-left upper and lower body flexibility (p < 0.05) also improved. CONCLUSIONS: From our findings, we conclude that 24 and 12-weeks of Mat Pilates induced strength and flexibility gains for lower and upper body, respectively.Implications for rehabilitationMat Pilates can be adapted to the fitness level of breast cancer survivors, with a great variety of exercises that can be performed using a mat only or a few pieces of equipment.Patients can practice at home to gain different health benefits (i.e., increasing strength, flexibility, and functional capacity level), which could positively impact on quality of life.Mat Pilates performed three times per week with systematized increments in exercise level, load, and volume throughout the intervention was effective to improve hip extensor-flexor muscles peak torque and mechanical work at different muscle contractions, as well as upper and lower body flexibility.Mat Pilates was also able to improve right-left shoulder abductor and trunk extensor muscles strength parameters after 12 weeks of intervention, as well as both surgery and non-surgery sides of the upper body.

The influence of mat Pilates training adherence on strength and flexibility parameters in breast cancer survivors undergoing hormone therapy.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of adherence to mat Pilates training on lower and upper body strength and flexibility in breast cancer survivors. Breast cancer survivors (≥40 years) with cancer stages 0-III undergoing hormone therapy participated in this study. For this secondary investigation only the intervention group was analyzed, divided into low and high training adherence. Participants performed a 60-min session of mat Pilates, 3 times/wk, for 24 weeks. Concentric, eccentric, and isometric hip flexor-extensor muscle peak torque, and isometric maximal strength parameters of the shoulder abductors, trunk extensors, and handgrip were assessed. Physical activity level was analyzed as a control variable. The results showed that high training adherence improved (P<0.05) left shoulder abductor strength parameters and lower and upper body flexibility compared to baseline. The low training adherence group improved (P<0.05) trunk extensors, right and left shoulder abductor strength parameters, handgrip strength, and extensor-flexor peak torque compared to baseline. There were no differences (P>0.05) between high and low adherence for physical activity level before and after the intervention. Therefore, it appears that higher training adherence most influences some strength parameters and flexibility, while fewer sessions enable the achievement of significant results for shoulder abductor and hip extensor-flexor muscle strength parameters.

Impact of home-based aerobic training combined with food orientation on food consumption, daily physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness among breast cancer survivors: six-month clinical trial

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Anticancer treatment gives rise to adverse effects such as increased pain and changes to body weight and menstrual cycles, with negative effects on activities of daily living. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect of food orientation combined with supervised (face-to-face, FF) versus home-based (HB) aerobic training on lifestyle (food consumption and daily physical activity (PA) levels), body composition, metabolic profile and cardiorespiratory fitness, among breast cancer survivors. DESIGN AND SETTING: Clinical trial study (six months) conducted at a public university in Presidente Prudente, Brazil. METHODS: Twenty-three female breast cancer survivors (40-75 years old) were allocated to aerobic training groups, either FF or HB. Both groups were trained and received food orientation. They were evaluated through a dietary record, ergometric treadmill test and blood test and the Baecke questionnaire. RESULTS: After six months, both groups had reduced their lipid levels, total energy consumption and polyunsaturated fat intake, and had increased their PA levels and treadmill test durations. However, only the HB showed reduced carbohydrate percentage and increased folic acid; and only the FF showed reduced lipid, saturated fat and sodium levels, along with increased carbohydrate and protein levels. No differences in body composition or metabolic profile were found. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrated the feasibility of HB aerobic training. In isolation, HB showed greater regulation of carbohydrate percentage and increased folic acid levels. Moreover, these breast cancer survivors presented improvements in food consumption, PA levels and cardiorespiratory fitness, while also maintaining their body composition and metabolic profile after the intervention, independent of the group.

Impact of home-based aerobic training combined with food orientation on food consumption, daily physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness among breast cancer survivors: six-month clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Anticancer treatment gives rise to adverse effects such as increased pain and changes to body weight and menstrual cycles, with negative effects on activities of daily living. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect of food orientation combined with supervised (face-to-face, FF) versus home-based (HB) aerobic training on lifestyle (food consumption and daily physical activity (PA) levels), body composition, metabolic profile and cardiorespiratory fitness, among breast cancer survivors. DESIGN AND SETTING: Clinical trial study (six months) conducted at a public university in Presidente Prudente, Brazil. METHODS: Twenty-three female breast cancer survivors (40-75 years old) were allocated to aerobic training groups, either FF or HB. Both groups were trained and received food orientation. They were evaluated through a dietary record, ergometric treadmill test and blood test and the Baecke questionnaire. RESULTS: After six months, both groups had reduced their lipid levels, total energy consumption and polyunsaturated fat intake, and had increased their PA levels and treadmill test durations. However, only the HB showed reduced carbohydrate percentage and increased folic acid; and only the FF showed reduced lipid, saturated fat and sodium levels, along with increased carbohydrate and protein levels. No differences in body composition or metabolic profile were found. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrated the feasibility of HB aerobic training. In isolation, HB showed greater regulation of carbohydrate percentage and increased folic acid levels. Moreover, these breast cancer survivors presented improvements in food consumption, PA levels and cardiorespiratory fitness, while also maintaining their body composition and metabolic profile after the intervention, independent of the group.

Acute effects of mat Pilates session on heart rate and rating of perceived exertion.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to analyze the acute effects of Heart Rate (HR) and Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) for 21 of 34 original Mat Pilates (MP) exercises, to estimate maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max), and energy expenditure (EE) of a MP session. METHODS: Ten participants volunteered (26.30 ±â€¯3.98 yrs) to measure the intensity of each exercise; HR and RPE were monitored immediately after the end of each exercise. VO2maxwas estimated using the Astrand-Ryhming step submaximal test, and EE by a linear regression equation. HR and RPE mean values and standard deviations were calculated for each exercise. RESULTS: The maximum value for each participant normalized the EE and VO2max values, which were ranked from highest to lowest. The percentage of the mean values of HRmax and RPEmax in each exercise showed significant, strong and positive correlation (p = 0.82; p = 0.001). In 10 exercises, HR was 60% higher than HRmax. The mean values of EE and VO2max were 213.71 ±â€¯(76.41) Kcal and 34.69 ml (Kg.min)-1 (±3.5), respectively, for the entire MP session. Half of the exercises achieved moderate intensity in HR with low estimated VO2max during the whole MP session. However, if the MP session of this study was practiced five times per week, it would meet the weekly American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) EE recommendations. CONCLUSION: The 21 MP exercises monitored in this study promote considerably acute and high increments in HR and RPE.