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Morano T, Lancia F, Di Marco A, Viscioni G, Bucci I, Grossi S, Pellegrino R, Cugusi L, Grassadonia A, Manca A, Bullo V, Di Giminiani R, Izzicupo P, Di Baldassarre A, Fusco A, Cortis C, Napolitano G, Di Blasio A. Flexibility and Strength Effects of Adapted Nordic Walking and Myofascial Exercises Practice in Breast Cancer Survivors and Analysis of Differences. Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12:222. [PMID: 38255109 PMCID: PMC10815343 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12020222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer treatments can elicit negative kinesiological side effects concerning both the posture and functional status of breast cancer survivors. As our body is functionally organized in myofascial meridians, physical exercise practice should favor a whole-body approach rather than a local one. The aim of the study was to investigate and compare the effects of two whole-body disciplines, i.e., adapted Nordic Walking and myofascial exercise, on the flexibility and strength performances in BCS. One hundred and sixty breast cancer survivors were trained three times per week for 12 weeks through adapted Nordic Walking or myofascial exercise. Handgrip, sit and reach, back scratch, and single leg back bridge tests and body composition were assessed at the beginning and completion of the training period. Linear mixed models showed no significant changes in body composition, whereas flexibility (p < 0.001), strength (p < 0.001), and muscle quality index (p = 0.003) changed independently from the treatment. When data modification has been analyzed according to sub-sample membership, no significant differences have been observed. Age, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy seem to have independent effects on several investigated variables. Twelve weeks of adapted myofascial exercise and Nordic Walking led to significant changes in flexibility, strength, and muscle quality in breast cancer survivors, with no apparent superiority of one approach over the other.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Morano
- Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, Via Polacchi L. 11, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (T.M.); (F.L.); (A.D.M.); (I.B.); (P.I.); (A.D.B.); (G.N.)
| | - Federica Lancia
- Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, Via Polacchi L. 11, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (T.M.); (F.L.); (A.D.M.); (I.B.); (P.I.); (A.D.B.); (G.N.)
| | - Alessandra Di Marco
- Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, Via Polacchi L. 11, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (T.M.); (F.L.); (A.D.M.); (I.B.); (P.I.); (A.D.B.); (G.N.)
| | - Gianluca Viscioni
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Piazzale Scuro L.A. 10, 37124 Verona, Italy;
| | - Ines Bucci
- Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, Via Polacchi L. 11, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (T.M.); (F.L.); (A.D.M.); (I.B.); (P.I.); (A.D.B.); (G.N.)
| | - Simona Grossi
- Eusoma Breast Center, “G. Bernabeo” Hospital, ASL02 Lanciano-Vasto-Chieti, c.da S. Liberata, 66026 Ortona, Italy;
| | - Raffaello Pellegrino
- Department of Scientific Research, Campus Ludes, Off-Campus Semmelweis University, 6912 Lugano, Switzerland;
| | - Lucia Cugusi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43/B, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (L.C.); (A.M.)
| | - Antonino Grassadonia
- Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine and Dentistry, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy;
| | - Andrea Manca
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43/B, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (L.C.); (A.M.)
| | - Valentina Bullo
- Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padova, Italy;
| | - Riccardo Di Giminiani
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, Via Vetoio, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy;
| | - Pascal Izzicupo
- Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, Via Polacchi L. 11, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (T.M.); (F.L.); (A.D.M.); (I.B.); (P.I.); (A.D.B.); (G.N.)
| | - Angela Di Baldassarre
- Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, Via Polacchi L. 11, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (T.M.); (F.L.); (A.D.M.); (I.B.); (P.I.); (A.D.B.); (G.N.)
| | - Andrea Fusco
- Department of Human Sciences, Society and Health, University of Cassino and Lazio Meridionale, Via S. Angelo, 03043 Cassino, Italy; (A.F.); (C.C.)
| | - Cristina Cortis
- Department of Human Sciences, Society and Health, University of Cassino and Lazio Meridionale, Via S. Angelo, 03043 Cassino, Italy; (A.F.); (C.C.)
| | - Giorgio Napolitano
- Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, Via Polacchi L. 11, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (T.M.); (F.L.); (A.D.M.); (I.B.); (P.I.); (A.D.B.); (G.N.)
| | - Andrea Di Blasio
- Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, Via Polacchi L. 11, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (T.M.); (F.L.); (A.D.M.); (I.B.); (P.I.); (A.D.B.); (G.N.)
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