Evaluation of resistance training to improve muscular strength and body composition in cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapy: a meta-analysis

Abstract Background While chronic exercise training has been demonstrated to be an effective non-pharmacological treatment for chronic low back pain (CLBP), there has been a relative lack of evidence or clinical guidelines for whether a posterior chain resistance training programme provides any benefits over general exercise (GE). Objectives To determine if chronic posterior chain resistance training (PCRT), defined as exercise programmes of ≥6 weeks duration focused on the thoracic, lumbar and hip extensor musculature, is more effective than GE in improving pain, level of disability, muscular strength and the number of adverse events in recreationally active and sedentary individuals with CLBP. Methods Four electronic databases were systematically searched from 25 September 2019 until 30 August 2020. Using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Tools checklist for randomized controlled trials (RCTs), articles were critically appraised and compared against the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Standardized mean difference (SMD), risk difference (RD) and confidence interval (CI) were calculated using Review Manager 5.3. Results Eight articles were included, with a total of 408 participants (203 PCRT, 205 GE). Both PCRT and GE were effective in improving a number of CLBP-related outcomes, but these effects were often significantly greater in PCRT than GE, especially with greater training durations (i.e. 12–16 weeks compared to 6–8 weeks). Specifically, when compared to GE, PCRT demonstrated a greater reduction in pain (SMD = − 0.61 (95% CI − 1.21 to 0.00), p = 0.05; I2 = 74%) and level of disability (SMD = − 0.53 (95% CI − 0.97 to − 0.09), p = 0.02; I2 = 52%), as well as a greater increase in muscle strength (SMD = 0.67 (95% CI 0.21 to 1.13), p = 0.004; I2 = 0%). No differences in the number of adverse events were reported between PCRT and GE (RD = − 0.02 (95% CI − 0.10 to 0.05), p = 0.57; I2 = 72%). Conclusion Results of the meta-analysis indicated that 12–16 weeks of PCRT had a statistically significantly greater effect than GE on pain, level of disability and muscular strength, with no significant difference in the number of adverse events for recreationally active and sedentary patients with CLBP. Clinicians should strongly consider utilizing PCRT interventions for 12–16 weeks with patients with CLBP to maximize their improvements in pain, disability and muscle strength. Future research should focus on comparing the efficacy and adverse events associated with specific PCRT exercise training and movement patterns (i.e. deadlift, hip lift) in treating this population. Trial registration PROSPERO CRD42020155700.

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The effects of an individualized exercise intervention on body composition in breast cancer patients undergoing treatment

Sao Paulo Medical Journal ◽

10.1590/s1516-31802007000100005 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 125 (1) ◽

pp. 22-28 ◽

Cited By ~ 54

Author(s):

Claudio Battaglini ◽

Martim Bottaro ◽

Carolyn Dennehy ◽

Logan Rae ◽

Edgar Shields ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Body Composition ◽

Resistance Training ◽

Cancer Treatment ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Exercise Intervention ◽

Exercise Group ◽

Moderate Intensity ◽

Control Group ◽

Breast Cancer Patients

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Changes in metabolism have been reported in the majority of patients undergoing cancer treatment, and these are usually characterized by progressive change in body composition. The effects of aerobic exercise programs to combat the cancer and cancer treatment-related side effects, which include the negative changes in body composition, have been extensively reported in the literature. However, few resistance exercise intervention studies have hypothesized that breast cancer patients might benefit from this type of exercise. The purpose of this study was to determine whether exercise protocols that emphasize resistance training would change body composition and strength in breast cancer patients undergoing treatment. DESIGN AND SETTING: Randomized controlled trial, at the Campus Recreation Center and Rocky Mountain Cancer Rehabilitation Institute of the University of Northern Colorado, and the North Colorado Medical Center. METHODS: Twenty inactive breast cancer patients were randomly assigned to a 21-week exercise group (n = 10) or a control group (n = 10). The exercise group trained at low to moderate intensity for 60 minutes on two days/week. The primary outcome measurements included body composition (skinfold method) and muscle strength (one repetition maximum). RESULTS: Significant differences in lean body mass, body fat and strength (p = 0.004, p = 0.004, p = 0.025, respectively) were observed between the groups at the end of the study. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that exercise emphasizing resistance training promotes positive changes in body composition and strength in breast cancer patients undergoing treatment.

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Meta-analysis Of The Effects Of Resistance Training On Muscular Strength In Adults With Intellectual Disabilities

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise ◽

10.1249/01.mss.0000759740.95146.fb ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 53 (8S) ◽

pp. 55-55

Author(s):

Iva Obrusnikova ◽

Cora J. Firkin ◽

Albert R. Cavalier ◽

Richard R. Suminski

Keyword(s):

Resistance Training ◽

Intellectual Disabilities ◽

Muscular Strength ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Adults With Intellectual Disabilities

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A Meta-Analysis of Resistance Training in Female Youth: Its Effect on Muscular Strength, and Shortcomings in the Literature

Sports Medicine ◽

10.1007/s40279-018-0914-4 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 48 (7) ◽

pp. 1661-1671 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

Jason Moran ◽

Gavin Sandercock ◽

Rodrigo Ramirez-Campillo ◽

Cain C. T. Clark ◽

John F. T. Fernandes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Resistance Training ◽

Muscular Strength ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Female Youth

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The Effect of Resistance Training on Body Composition During and After Cancer Treatment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Sports Medicine ◽

10.1007/s40279-021-01542-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Briana Clifford ◽

Sean Koizumi ◽

Michael A. Wewege ◽

Hayley B. Leake ◽

Lauren Ha ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Body Composition ◽

Resistance Training ◽

Cancer Treatment ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

After Cancer

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The effects of an 8-week resistance training intervention on muscular strength, power, and body composition in collegiate female dancers

Comparative Exercise Physiology ◽

10.3920/cep190074 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 16 (4) ◽

pp. 277-284

Author(s):

D.J. Sanders ◽

T.D. Cardaci ◽

B.A. McFadden ◽

A.J. Walker ◽

B.N. Bozzini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Composition ◽

Resistance Training ◽

Injury Risk ◽

Muscular Strength ◽

Ventilatory Threshold ◽

Vertical Jump ◽

Maximal Oxygen Consumption ◽

Weight Ratio ◽

Training Group ◽

Control Group

Although weight training can enhance muscular strength, power, and body composition, outdated beliefs about muscular adaptations have limited its use in dancers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of an 8-week progressive overload resistance-training (RT) program on muscular strength, power and body composition in collegiate female dancers. Sixteen subjects were randomised into a dance-only control group (CON) or an RT + dance training group (EXP). EXP met 3×/week for RT. Body fat (%BF), lean body mass (LBM), girth measurements, vertical jump (VJ), muscular strength (1-repetition max (RM) squat (SQT) and 1-RM bench press (BP)), maximal oxygen consumption (V̇O2max, and ventilatory threshold (VT)) were assessed pre- and post-study. Baseline performance characteristics across all subjects were: %BF=28.2±5.7%, VJ=33.4±5.4 cm, SQT=57.5±12.1 kg, BP=30.1±7.6 kg, (V̇O2max)=40.6±3.4 ml/kg/min, and VT=71.2±3.4%VO2max. Strength improvements were significantly greater for EXP than CON (P<0.05). No significant differences were found between groups for %BF, LBM, girth measurements, VJheight, (V̇O2max), or VT (P>0.05). However, a trend was observed for VJpower favouring EXP (P=0.07). EXP significantly improved strength, while no significant changes were observed in body composition. However, EXP improved their power-to-weight ratio, which may be a positive performance adaptation. RT for dancers can improve strength and power, allowing enhanced muscular loading and fatigue-resistance, which may optimise performance and decrease injury risk.

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Once a Week Resistance Training Improves Muscular Strength in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Integrative Cancer Therapies ◽

10.1177/1534735419879748 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 18 ◽

pp. 153473541987974 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Wanderson Divino Nilo dos Santos ◽

Amilton Vieira ◽

Claudio Andre Barbosa de Lira ◽

João Felipe Mota ◽

Paulo Gentil ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Body Composition ◽

Resistance Training ◽

Muscle Strength ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

Muscular Strength ◽

Breast Cancer Survivors ◽

Bench Press ◽

Post Intervention ◽

Leg Press

Background: Exercise has been shown to reduce adverse outcomes related to breast cancer. However, the rate of adherence to physical exercise is very low among breast cancer survivors (BCS). This study investigated the effects of high supervision ratio resistance training (RT), once a week for 8 weeks, on changes in body composition and muscular strength in BCS. Methods: Twenty-five female BCS undergoing hormone therapy were randomized into resistance training group (TG, n = 12) or control (CG, n = 13) group. The TG performed 8 weeks of supervised RT, with 1 trainer per volunteer, once a week. Body composition was evaluated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and muscle strength was evaluated by 10 repetition maximum (10 RM) for leg press (45°) and bench press exercises. A 1-way analysis of variance was used to compare within-group effects at pre- and post-intervention. An analysis of covariance test was used to compare post-intervention values, using pre-intervention measures as covariates. The effect size (ES) was calculated by Cohen’s d. Results: The TG improved muscle strength in 10 RM leg press (45°; Δ 33.75 ± 11.51 kg, P = .02; ES = 0.96) and bench press (Δ 4.08 ± 1.83 kg, P = .01; ES = 1.15). Adherence to training was more than 99%. Changes in body composition were not detected. There were no changes in the CG for any assessment. Conclusion: Once-weekly supervised RT could be an alternative to increase the adherence to exercise and improve muscular strength in BCS.

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