The Effect of Resistance Training on Telomere Length in Women Recovering from Breast Cancer

Abstract

Abstract:The purpose of this exploratory analysis was to examine the effects of resistance training (RT) on leukocyte telomere length in breast cancer survivors. Samples from 33 breast cancer survivors were analysed following a 16-week RT or usual care intervention (RT: n = 19, control: n = 14). The RT group performed supervised exercise three times per week. Leukocyte telomere length was assessed before and after training using quantitative PCR. Changes in telomere length were analysed using ANCOVA, with the change score being the dependent variable, and the baseline value the covariate. Effect sizes (ES) were calculated via partial eta squared. We found a non-statistically significant change in telomere length, and a small associated ES in the RT group compared to the control group for change in telomere length (p = 0.78, ES = 0.003). Our exploratory study demonstrates that a 16-week RT intervention does not have a significant effect on telomere length in women recovering from breast cancer. Therefore, RT is a safe intervention that does not accelerate biological ageing.

Effects of Physical Exercise on Cognition and Telomere Length in Healthy Older Women

“…In addition, there are studies that focus mainly on resistance exercise gain with contradictory results. Some research has shown that endurance training causes adaptive changes in the antioxidant protein systems at the systemic level leading to a maintenance of TL [ 42 ], while other studies have concluded there is no effect at all [ 43 , 44 ] or even a shortening of TL [ 45 ]. Nevertheless, in this work we observed that in those subjects who had participated in a program involving both types of exercise (Aerobic exercise + Resistance exercise) there was an increase in TL 6 months after the program had ended.…”

Differential Effects of Very-Low-Volume Exercise Modalities on Telomere Length, Inflammation, and Cardiometabolic Health in Obese Metabolic Syndrome Patients: A Subanalysis from Two Randomized Controlled Trials

“…Our finding that only LV-HIIT (a type of cardiovascular exercise), but not the strengthbased exercise types (1-RT and WB-EMS) improved TL is in line with the study by Werner et al [20], who reported that TL increased after 6 months of aerobic endurance and interval training in previously sedentary but otherwise healthy individuals, but not with resistance training. Additionally, two other RCTs that implemented resistance training as a form of exercise intervention in breast cancer survivors [99] and in elderly individuals [103] did not observe a significant impact on TL. Thus, although it is undisputed that resistance training is an essential part of a well-rounded exercise routine as it is the most effective method to maintain/increase muscle mass and strength [104] and is independently associated with reduced mortality risk [105], our data support previous findings suggesting that resistance training alone may not be a sufficient stimulus to produce significant changes in TL.…”

“…However, it is important to note that only a few RCTs have been conducted to evaluate the effects of targeted exercise interventions on TL. These trials have yielded inconsistent findings, with five studies reporting beneficial effects on TL [20,[94][95][96][97] following a specific exercise intervention, while six studies did not observe significant changes in TL [98][99][100][101][102][103]. The conflicting results could mainly be due to the different exercise modalities used in previous RCTs, as seven studies applied continuous aerobic training regimens [20,94,97,98,[100][101][102], three studies utilized interval training protocols [20,95,96], and three studies employed resistance training programs [20,99,103].…”

“…These trials have yielded inconsistent findings, with five studies reporting beneficial effects on TL [20,[94][95][96][97] following a specific exercise intervention, while six studies did not observe significant changes in TL [98][99][100][101][102][103]. The conflicting results could mainly be due to the different exercise modalities used in previous RCTs, as seven studies applied continuous aerobic training regimens [20,94,97,98,[100][101][102], three studies utilized interval training protocols [20,95,96], and three studies employed resistance training programs [20,99,103]. Accordingly, a recent systematic review on this topic [18] has highlighted that, at present, there is still a scarcity of knowledge on what type and intensity of exercise is most beneficial to achieve positive effects on TL.…”

Regular, Intense Exercise Training as a Healthy Aging Lifestyle Strategy: Preventing DNA Damage, Telomere Shortening and Adverse DNA Methylation Changes Over a Lifetime

“…They did, however, reveal an inverse correlation between personal best strength achievements and TL. Although considered a safe an effective intervention for improving quality of life and muscular strength, Hagstrom and Denham (2018) found that a 16-week resistance training intervention did not alter leukocyte TL in women recovering from breast cancer compared to a control group. Given that telomeres gradually shorten with aging, longer interventions will be required to investigate any meaningful exercise-induced changes in TL in longitudinal studies.…”