The Effects of Concurrent Training on the Body Composition, Quality of Life, and Sleep Quality of Postmenopausal Women with Breast Cancer

Abstract

Background: Concurrent training is more effective in developing fitness indicators than doing endurance and resistance training separately. However, there has been limited research to evaluate the effects of this type of exercise training on improvement of body composition and quality of life indicators in postmenopausal women with cancer. Objectives: The present study aimed to determine the effects of eight weeks of concurrent training on body composition, quality of life, and sleep quality in postmenopausal women with breast cancer. Methods: This study was conducted on 42 women with breast cancer who were selected randomly and divided into exercise training and control groups. The training group followed eight weeks of resistance training (2 - 3 sets, 10 - 18 repetitions, and 50% - 70% 1RM) and aerobic training (50% - 70% maximum heart rate, 12 - 14 Borg scale, and 20 - 40 minutes). Anthropometric characteristics were measured based on body composition (ZEUS 9.9), the sleep quality was measured by the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), and the quality of life was measured by the McGill quality of life (MQOL) questionnaire. Two-way repeated measures ANOVA has been used for McGill’s analysis of variance (P < 0.05). Results: The results showed a significant decrease in sleep quality score, weight, fat percentage, BMI, and waist circumference in the training group (P < 0.05), as well as an increase in quality of life index in the training group (P < 0.05). However, no significant changes were observed in the Waist-hip ratio (WHR) values of the training group compared with the control group (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Although the changes in WHR index were not significant after eight weeks of concurrent training, this type of training program could be considered as a beneficial way for improving body composition, quality of life, and sleep quality in patients with breast cancer.

Influence of Dietary Habits and Mediterranean Diet Adherence on Sleep Quality during Pregnancy. The GESTAFIT Project

“…This might be partially explained by the effect that the exercise training could have had by itself regardless of maternal diet. Previous studies [ 42 , 43 ] have reported that after a period of 8–10 weeks of concurrent training, sleep quality improved, suggesting that the improvements could lead to a state of the melatonin hormone being secreted by the allergic pineal glands, which has a hypnotizing effect with central body temperature. Anabolic activity is also stronger during sleep, whereas the catabolic activity is more intense during vigilance.…”

What are the most effective exercise, physical activity and dietary interventions to improve body composition in women diagnosed with or at high‐risk of breast cancer? A systematic review and network meta‐analysis

“…A total of 2106 records were excluded based on titles and abstracts due to their irrelevance to the research question, and 1112 records were deemed eligible for full‐text review. After including six additional studies via other methods, a total of 84 randomized clinical trials 30–33,50–129 were included in this systematic review and network meta‐analysis (Figure 1).…”