Bone mineral density in postmenopausal women with and without breast cancer

Effect of Functional Impact Training on Body Composition, Bone Mineral Density, and Strength in Breast Cancer Survivors

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of 24 wk of functional impact training (FIT) that consisted of resistance and high-impact exercises in comparison with yin yoga on body composition, bone mineral density (BMD), blood biomarkers for bone metabolism, and strength in breast cancer survivors (BCS).

METHODS

Forty-four BCS (60.3 ± 8.3 yr) were randomly assigned to the FIT or yin yoga group. Body composition and BMD were measured via dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. Blood biomarkers for bone metabolism were analyzed via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Upper and lower body strength was assessed using a one-repetition maximum chest press and isokinetic knee extension/flexion using the Biodex System 3, respectively. Participants completed 45-min FIT or yin yoga sessions twice weekly for 24 wk. Changes in dependent variables over time were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA. Significance was accepted at P ≤ 0.05.

RESULTS

There were no group-time effects for body composition, BMD, or blood biomarkers. Main effects were observed for left femoral neck (0.883 ± 0.138 to 0.870 ± 0.131 g·cm) and left forearm (0.465 ± 0.078 to 0.457 ± 0.069 g·cm) BMD. The FIT group improved upper body strength (73.2 ± 18.1 to 83.2 ± 22.3 kg), whereas the yin yoga group did not (59.8 ± 14.8 to 59.3 ± 15.6 kg). Main time effects were observed for peak isokinetic knee extension and flexion at all speeds with an average improvement of 13.2% and 16.2%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Both FIT and yin yoga may be beneficial exercise modes for improving lower body strength, although only FIT improved upper body strength. Additional research is needed to examine the effectiveness of FIT programs of longer duration and/or higher intensity on body composition and BMD in BCS.