Abstract
Background: Metastasis breast cancer commonly report physical and psychosocial side effects, which requires a supervised exercise prescription with an individualized assessment. This cross-sectional study examined the feasibility of energy system-based assessment, also generating descriptive values for assessment performance in this population.Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited 70 women diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. After baseline assessment, participants attempted up to three energy system assessments: submaximal aerobic (multi-stage treadmill); anaerobic alactic (30-second sit-to-stand [30-STS]); and anaerobic lactic (adapted burpees). Heart rate and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded. Secondary outcomes included body composition, CRF and upper- and lower-limb functionality. Results: 64 and 70 of the participants performed the submaximal aerobic test and the 30-STS, respectively, and 5 completed the adapted burpees task. Heart rate and RPE specific to each task were correlated, reflecting increased intensity. Women reported low-moderate levels of CRF [3(2.1)] and moderate-high functionality levels [upper-limb: 65.8% (23.3); lower-limb: 63.7% (34.7)]. Conclusions: Using a combination of heart rate and RPE, as well as baseline assessment of each energy system, clinicians may improve ability to prescribe personalized exercise and give patients greater ability to self-monitor intensity and progress.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT03879096