Triathlon training for women breast cancer survivors: feasibility and initial efficacy
Abstract
ᅟ: Exercise can improve quality of life (QOL) in breast cancer survivors. In contrast to many group or home-based exercise programs, little is known about the effectiveness of goal-oriented recreational activities.Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate a clinically overseen team triathlon training program on improving physiological and psychosocial health-related measures in female breast cancer survivors.Methods Twenty-three participants (age = 48 (8), BMI = 25 (1), mean (SE)) were recruited from a 14-week sprint triathlon (800-m swim, 20-km bike, 5-km run) team training program for women breast cancer survivors (4 (3) years post-surgery, chemo-, or radiation-therapy). Training included two supervised group and three home-based individual sessions per week. Pre- and post-training outcomes included isokinetic knee extensor strength (60, 180, and 300° s-1), 6-min walk test (6MWT), maximal oxygen uptake (VO 2 max), QOL (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy -Breast (FACT-B)), and barriers to exercise. Outcomes were also obtained 6 months post except for VO 2 max. Significance was set at p < 0.05.Results Data are mean (SD) from 21 complete data sets. Knee extensor peak torque significantly improved only at 300° s-1 (pre 40.3(8.5) ftlb; post 45.2(8.4); p = 0.001). 6MWT significantly improved (pre 632.8(62.1) m; post 657.4(53.2); p = 0.014) as did VO 2 max (pre 31.3(5.8) ml kg-1 min-1; post 35.9(5.8); p < 0.001). FACT-B also improved (pre 114(12); post 122(13); p = 0.004), including the FACT-G total score, social well-being, and breast cancer subscales while barriers to exercise decreased (pre 54(12); post 36(9); p < 0.001). Strength, 6MWT, and barriers to exercise remained improved after 6 months.Conclusions Team triathlon training in breast cancer survivors can increase aerobic capacity and improve QOL which may contribute to healthier lifestyles in breast cancer survivors.
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There is insufficient evidence for a definitive prescription around safety and efficacy for other exercise types such as dragon boating, recreational sports, wall/rock climbing, triathlon, or high intensity interval training.
“there is also insufficient evidence at this time for a definitive prescription around safety and efficacy for other types of exercise for cancer survivors, such as dragon boating(79, 80), recreational sports(81), wall/rock climbing(82), triathalon(83), or high intensity interval training(84)”
From Exercise Guidelines for Cancer Survivors: Consensus Statement from International Multidisciplinary Roundtable (2019) · cites this paper as [79]
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- Authors
- Ng, A. V., Cybulski, A. N., Engel, A. A., Papanek, P. E., Sheffer, M. A., Waltke, L. J., & Tjoe, J. A.
- Affiliations
- Marquette University (US)
- Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare (US)
- Aurora Health Care (US)
- Corresponding author
- Ng, Alexander V.
- Venue
- Supportive Care in Cancer
- Published
- 2016-12-24
- Volume
- 25
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 1465-1473
- ISSN
- 0941-4355 (ISSN-L)
- 1433-7339
- OpenAlex
- W2564077112
- Cited by
- 16
- References
- 37
- Citations by year
- 2025: 2 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 2
- FWCI
- 1.26
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Supportive Care in Cancer (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- e-Publications@Marquette (Marquette University) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Aurora Cancer Care Research Award, funded by the Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer survivorship and care
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Cardiovascular and exercise physiology
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
- Keywords
- breast cancer survivors, triathlon training, exercise intervention, home-based exercise, quality of life, cardiorespiratory fitness, VO2max, 6-minute walk test, quadriceps strength, barriers to exercise, psychosocial outcomes, women, cancer survivorship, feasibility, long-term follow-up, FACT-B, social well-being, lifestyle intervention, exercise adherence
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Breast Neoplasms, Feasibility Studies, Female, Humans, Middle Aged, Quality of Life, Exercise, Survivors
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