Heavy Resistance Training in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Adjuvant Therapy

In this randomised control trial patients completed heavy resistance training (4 sets leg press x 4 repetitions) at around 90% of their 1RM. This resulted in 20% increase in strength as well as 9-12% improvement in functional performance. The control group actually declined in these measures by 6-12%. While there was no increase in muscle mass in the trained group the control group lost 7% which is usual during adjuvant therapy.

Important result that such a low volume although high intensity exercise intervention resulted in such positive benefits for these patients.  No patients reported any resistance training or testing adverse events suggested even this high load training is safe. Compliance was very high at 96% completion of the 24 planned exercise sessions.

Here is the link to the full paper…

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