Resistance-type Exercise Training in Postmenopausal Women Survivors of Breast Cancer

Background: In postmenopausal women, an alteration in body composition occurs as a consequence of the secretion of low levels of serum estrogens by the ovaries. Observing an increase in abdominal and mammary fat mass and a decrease in skeletal muscle mass, which is also accompanied by loss of muscle strength and physical function, which leads early to a sarcopenia. On the other hand, the increase in estrogen production by adipose tissue has been associated with an increased risk of breast cancer during menopause because the mammary parenchyma is particularly sensitive to this type of estrogen. For this reason, Hormone Therapy (Aromatase Inhibitors and Tamoxifen) is prescribed in women with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. Antineoplastic treatments (Chemotherapy and Hormonal Therapy) have contributed to non-metastatic breast cancer currently presenting a high survival rate, not without adverse effects associated with the course of the disease, age and antineoplastic treatment, affecting various systems, but particularly skeletal muscle mass. Therefore, resistance exercise training has been proposed as an effective intervention strategy to increase muscle mass and strength in different populations. However, the level of muscle response to this type of training in postmenopausal women survivors of breast cancer with and without hormone treatment (Aromatase Inhibitors and Tamoxifen) is unknown.

Sex

Female

Minimum age

45 Years

Maximum age

59 Years

Inclusion Criteria:

* Healthy postmenopausal women and postmenopausal women survivors of breast cancer with and without Hormonal Therapy (Aromatase Inhibitors and Tamoxifen) between 45 to 59 years.
* Women survivors of breast cancer with active Hormone Therapy in the last 12 months.
* Women breast cancer survivors with luminal molecular profile and positive estrogen receptors.
* Body mass index 18.5 \< BMI \< 30 kg/m2.
* Volunteers without cognitive impairment (abbreviated Minimental \>13 points).

Exclusion Criteria:

* Active antineoplastic treatment in the last 12 months.
* \>200 mL of volume difference between upper limbs and/or stage IV breast cancer.
* Performing regular resistance training (2 or more times per week, carrying out progressive training) in the previous 6 months.
* Cardiovascular diseases that are contradictory for physical activity (not included controlled Hypertension).
* All co-morbidities interacting with mobility and muscle metabolism of the body and that do not allow to (safely) perform the resistance-type exercise training (e.g. debilitating arthritis, spasticity/rigidity, all neurological disorders and paralysis).

• DERIVEDArtigas-Arias M, Munoz-Cofre R, Vidal-Seguel N, Alegria-Molina A, Sapunar J, Curi R, Marzuca-Nassr GN. Resistance exercise training similarly improves work efficiency and measured submaximal oxygen consumption during the 6-min walk test in healthy postmenopausal women and breast cancer survivors. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2026 Feb;126(2):965-977. doi: 10.1007/s00421-025-05966-0. Epub 2025 Sep 16. PMID 40954340
• DERIVEDArtigas-Arias M, Alegria-Molina A, Vidal-Seguel N, Munoz-Cofre R, Carranza-Leiva J, Sepulveda-Lara A, Vitzel KF, Huard N, Sapunar J, Salazar LA, Curi R, Marzuca-Nassr GN. Skeletal muscle mass, strength, and physical performance gains are similar between healthy postmenopausal women and postmenopausal breast cancer survivors after 12 weeks of resistance exercise training. Support Care Cancer. 2024 Nov 23;32(12):818. doi: 10.1007/s00520-024-08973-7. PMID 39579274