Effects of combined resistance and aerobic training program on myoelectric activity of Vastus Lateralis in patients with breast cancer during adjuvant chemotherapy period

OBJECTIVE: Chemotherapy and/or radiation are normally the predominant therapies administered to cancer patients. Commonly, patients express complaints of fatigue during adjuvant treatment. Furthermore, regular practice of physical exercise during adjuvant treatment seems to have positive effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of combined muscle strength, and a supervised aerobic training program on myoelectric activity of Vastus Lateralis during isometric test in patients with breast cancer undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-two women with breast cancer (20 patients in the training group and 12 patients as controls) undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy participated in the study. They took part in a 6-week training period. A muscle-strength program included isometric contraction and electrical muscle stimulation (EMS). Aerobic training program consisted of supervised intermittent cycling exercise and home-based walking exercise. The outcome measures were Root Mean Square (RMS), Mean Power Frequency (MPF), Maximal Voluntary isometric Contraction (MViC), and Endurance Time (ET) of Vastus Lateralis, before and after the training period in the two groups. RESULTS: Compared to controls, a significant increase in MViC (p=0.001) and ET (p=0.005) in quadriceps accompanied by a significant decrease in RMS (p=0.007) and a significant increase in MPF (p=0.002) has been obtained in the training group. CONCLUSIONS: Supervised muscle strength and supervised aerobic training programs enhanced muscle activity and muscular performance in women with breast cancer during adjuvant chemotherapy treatment and optimized the decrease of muscular fatigue.