Efficacy of the ERICE/TSB project on anthropometry and cardiorespiratory fitness in breast cancer survivors: a 6-month intervention.

Purpose: Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer worldwide, affecting 55,900 women each year in Italy. Reductions in physical fitness and negative changes in anthropometry are only two of the common side effects of cancer treatments. Exercise plays a vital role in alleviating these cancer treatment-related side effects1. The influence of different modalities of rowing on physical aspects have been studied in BC2–3. However, no studies have been developed to understand the efficacy of sculling technique. The aim of this study was to determine the benefits of the ERICE/TSB (Effect and efficacy of RowIng in breast CancEr survivors/The Same Boat) project, including recreational rowing, on anthropometric indices and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in patients with BC. Methods: A pre and post within-subject intervention(baseline_T0, after 3 months_T1 and after 6 months _T2), with 3 training sessions per week (adapted physical activity or Pilates, walking and rowing) lasting one hour each, was carried out. The study sample included 20 women (age: 55.8 ± 6.1 yrs; BMI: 24.6 ± 3.3 kg/m2) with BC (stages I, II, or III; surgery at least 6 months to a maximum of 20 years ago). Participants completed circumference-based anthropometrics (waist-to-hip ratio_WHR) and CRF was evaluated with cycling efficiency (CE). To quantify the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) the Borg Category-Ratio-10 scale was administered. Furthermore, a physical activity (PA) diary was completed each week in order to categorize subjects according to their PA level. Results: No dropouts occurred during the 6-month intervention. No significant anthropometric variations were found (WHR: T0_0.82 ± 0.06, T1_0.86 ± 0.08, T2_0.85 ± 0.06). However, improvements in CE were obtained (CE: T0_14.77 ± 2.06, T1_15.78 ± 2.33, T2_15.93 ± 2.11; T0vsT2, p = 0.065), without a concomitant RPE reduction (RPE: T0_2.93 ± 0.98, T1_2.62 ± 0.1, T2_2.62 ± 1.66). All data were adjusted for PAL. Conclusions: This is a novel study as no studies on sculling have been undertaken previously on BC survivors. Sculling technique is a safe and approachable activity for women who have had BC as no adverse events occurred. In general, our findings support the efficacy of an integrated training program in improving some aspects of wellbeing in BC survivors. References: 1. Dieli-Conwright. Breast Cancer (Dove Med Press). 2015 Oct 21;7:353–62. 2. Gavala-Gonza´lez. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Jul 5;18(13):7188. 3. Moro. Support Care Cancer. 2024 Mar 8;32(4):218.