A pilot study of a physical activity intervention targeted towards women at increased risk for breast cancer

Abstract Introduction Physical activity may reduce the development of breast cancer. Whereas hypercoagulability has been linked to adverse outcomes in breast cancer patients, the effects of physical activity on their hemostatic factors are unknown. The study aimed to assess whether long-term (1 year) physical activity can affect hemostatic factors in breast cancer patients. Methods Fifty-five women (35–75 years) with invasive breast cancer stage I/II were randomized to a physical activity intervention (n = 29) lasting 1 year or to a control group (n = 26), and analyzed as intention to treat. Fibrinogen, factor VII antigen, tissue factor pathway inhibitor, and von Willebrand factor (VWF) antigen as well as prothrombin fragment 1 + 2, the endogenous thrombin potential and D-dimer, were measured in plasma before intervention (baseline), and then after 6 and 12 months. Results Maximal oxygen uptake (measure of cardiorespiratory fitness) decreased the first 6 months among the controls, but remained stable in the intervention group. We found no significant differences between the two study groups regarding any of the hemostatic factors, except a significantly higher increase in factor VII antigen in the intervention group. The effect of the intervention on VWF was, however, significantly affected by menopausal stage, and a significant effect of the intervention was found on VWF among postmenopausal women, even after adjustment for dietary intake. Conclusion Long-term physical activity had no effect on the majority of the hemostatic factors measured, but led to increased plasma concentrations of factor VII antigen and prevented an increase in VWF concentration after breast cancer treatment in postmenopausal women. The clinical impact of these findings for risk of vascular thrombosis warrants further studies.

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¡Mi Vida Saludable! A randomized, controlled, 2 × 2 factorial trial of a diet and physical activity intervention among Latina breast cancer survivors: Study design and methods

Contemporary Clinical Trials ◽

10.1016/j.cct.2021.106524 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 106524

Author(s):

Margarita Santiago-Torres ◽

Isobel Contento ◽

Pamela Koch ◽

Wei-Yann Tsai ◽

Adam M. Brickman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

Study Design ◽

Breast Cancer Survivors ◽

Physical Activity Intervention ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Diet And Physical Activity ◽

Factorial Trial ◽

Design And Methods

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Acceptability, Feasibility and Preliminary Evaluation of a Novel, Personalised, Home-Based Physical Activity Intervention for Chronic Heart Failure (Active-at-Home-HF): a Pilot Study

Sports Medicine - Open ◽

10.1186/s40798-019-0216-x ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Nduka C. Okwose ◽

Leah Avery ◽

Nicola O’Brien ◽

Sophie Cassidy ◽

Sarah J. Charman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Heart Failure ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Chronic Heart Failure ◽

Physical Activity Intervention ◽

Step Count ◽

Home Based ◽

At Home

Abstract Purpose Less than 10% of heart failure patients in the UK participate in cardiac rehabilitation programmes. The present pilot study evaluated feasibility, acceptability and physiological effects of a novel, personalised, home-based physical activity intervention in chronic heart failure. Methods Twenty patients (68 ± 7 years old, 20% females) with stable chronic heart failure due to reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (31 ± 8 %) participated in a single-group, pilot study assessing the feasibility and acceptability of a 12-week personalised home-based physical activity intervention aiming to increase daily number of steps by 2000 from baseline (Active-at-Home-HF). Patients completed cardiopulmonary exercise testing with non-invasive gas exchange and haemodynamic measurements and quality of life questionnaire pre- and post-intervention. Patients were supported weekly via telephone and average weekly step count data collected using pedometers. Results Forty-three patients were screened and 20 recruited into the study. Seventeen patients (85%) completed the intervention, and 15 (75%) achieved the target step count. Average step count per day increased significantly from baseline to 3 weeks by 2546 (5108 ± 3064 to 7654 ± 3849, P = 0.03, n = 17) and was maintained until week 12 (9022 ± 3942). Following completion of the intervention, no adverse events were recorded and quality of life improved by 4 points (26 ± 18 vs. 22 ± 19). Peak exercise stroke volume increased by 19% (127 ± 34 vs. 151 ± 34 m/beat, P = 0.05), while cardiac index increased by 12% (6.8 ± 1.5 vs. 7.6 ± 2.0 L/min/m2, P = 0.19). Workload and oxygen consumption at anaerobic threshold also increased by 16% (49 ± 16 vs. 59 ± 14 watts, P = 0.01) and 10% (11.5 ± 2.9 vs. 12.8 ± 2.2 ml/kg/min, P = 0.39). Conclusion The Active-at-Home-HF intervention is feasible, acceptable and effective for increasing physical activity in CHF. It may lead to improvements in quality of life, exercise tolerance and haemodynamic function. Trial Registration www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT0367727. Retrospectively registered on 17 September 2018.

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Physical activity in the classroom to prevent childhood obesity: a pilot study in Santiago, Chile

Journal of Nutritional Science ◽

10.1017/jns.2017.14 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 6 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Francisco Mardones ◽

Pilar Arnaiz ◽

Johana Soto-Sánchez ◽

Juana Saavedra ◽

Angélica Domínguez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Blood Pressure ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Grip Strength ◽

Statistical Power ◽

Physical Activity Intervention ◽

Hand Grip Strength ◽

Control Group ◽

High Waist Circumference ◽

Hand Grip

AbstractThis paper describes a 4-month pilot study that tested the suitability of a physical activity intervention for first graders (children aged 6 and 7 years) in a public school in Santiago, Chile. Teachers were trained to deliver the programme in the classroom during the school day. Teachers were surveyed to determine if this intervention fit within their curriculum and classroom routines and they reported in a focus group that it was suitable for them. All children actively participated in the programme and positive changes in their attitudes towards physical activity were observed by their teachers. Anthropometrics, blood pressure and hand grip strength were measured in the students. A significant reduction was observed in children with high waist circumference ≥ 90th percentile, and in mean systolic blood pressure. However, statistical power values for those comparisons were rather low. Anthropometry and hand grip strength were not modified. The latter calculations and the lack of a control group are showing the weaknesses of this pilot study and that further research with a larger sample size and an experimental design is strongly needed.

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