Study confirms benefits of exercise for breast cancer survivors

They emphasize the effectiveness of therapeutic exercises in water.

BARCELONA, October 16 (EUROPE PRESS) –

A study carried out by Hospital del Mar in Barcelona, ​​Fundació Claror and TecnoCampus confirmed the benefits of exercise for women who have overcome breast cancer, the hospital said this Wednesday in a statement.

The study, published in the journal Breast Cancer, is based on the Aquafit project, which recruited 28 breast cancer survivors by randomly assigning them to either aquatic or dry exercise between 2020 and 2022.

Mar Vernet, coordinator of the breast pathology department at Del Mar Hospital, emphasized that aquatic exercise can be as effective as floor exercise “in both improving the quality of life and physical functioning of surviving women.”

RESULTS

The study results show that participants’ symptoms were reduced by 18% in those who did aquatic exercises and by 35% in those who practiced exercises in a land-based environment, and both groups increased their functionality by 14% and 7%. , respectively.

In addition, participants’ cardiorespiratory capacity increased by 8–11%, arm muscle strength by 22–10%, and leg muscle strength by 26–39%.

Vernet insists the study provides a “robust basis” for considering aquatic exercise as an integral part of breast cancer survivors’ recovery and health plan.

PHYSICAL ADHESION

TecnoCampus researchers Raquel Sebio and Esther Moore explained that aquatic exercise “appears to provide additional benefits for sexual function” in addition to high program adherence and a lack of adverse incidents.

Fundació Claror wellness and health specialist Marta Coll assured that the results “underline the importance of tailoring exercise programs to the individual preferences and needs of patients,” thereby promoting continuity and long-term physical adherence. .