Effects of an Easily Implemented Physical Exercise Program on the Ventricular Ejection Fraction of Women with Breast Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy

Tiago Rafael Moreira (), Nuno Pimenta (), Alexandra Teixeira, Bruno Nobre Pinheiro, Rui Canário-Lemos, Rafael Peixoto, Nuno Domingos Garrido and José Vilaça-Alves
Additional contact information
Tiago Rafael Moreira: Polytechnic Institute of Maia, 4475-690 Maia, Portugal
Nuno Pimenta: Polytechnic Institute of Maia, 4475-690 Maia, Portugal
Alexandra Teixeira: Local Health Unit of Alto Ave, 4835-044 Guimarães, Portugal
Bruno Nobre Pinheiro: Department of Physical Education, University Unifametro, Fortaleza CE-065, Brazil
Rui Canário-Lemos: Department of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
Rafael Peixoto: Department of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
Nuno Domingos Garrido: Department of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
José Vilaça-Alves: Department of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 1, 1-7

Abstract: Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer among women, with an incidence of 85–94 per 100,000 people annually in Europe. Despite the increasing incidence of BC, advancements in early detection and novel therapeutic approaches have improved survival rates. However, adjuvant treatments are associated with side effects, including a reduction in the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), which can result in severe cardiac damage and progress to heart failure. Methods: Thirty-eight women undergoing BC treatment were included in the study. Eighteen women (47.2 ± 5.4 years old) participated in a supervised physical exercise (PE) program for 60 min/day, twice weekly, at moderate to high intensity (5 min joint mobilization, 20 min predominantly aerobic training, 30 min of strength training, and 5 min cooldown). The remaining 20 women (51.5 ± 9.5 years) were advised to remain active during treatments, but without specific supervision. In the PE group, a slight reduction in the LVEF was observed after chemotherapy (63.73 ± 3.34% vs. 61.00 ± 6.54%, p = 0.131). In contrast, the control group showed a statistically significant reduction in the LVEF (64.93 ± 4.00% vs. 60.57 ± 4.86%, p = 0.008). Although the results suggest a potential protective effect of regular physical exercise during BC treatment, the study was inconclusive regarding its role in preventing cardiac dysfunction. Further research with a larger sample size and longer follow-up is warranted.

Keywords: breast cancer; cardiac toxicity; LVEF; chemotherapy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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