Strength Training Study for Survivors of Breast and Gynecologic Cancer

• Changes in Muscular Strength [ Time Frame: Baseline (end of week 1); Midpoint (end of week 7); Final (end of week 13) ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  Muscular Strength will be assessed using the predicted one-repetition maximum method (Brzycki method)using the bench press and leg press to measure upper and lower body strength.
  
  

• Process Measures [ Time Frame: Final (end of week 13) ] [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ]
  Process measures will provide insight about the feasibility of the exercise prescriptions. Included measures are: recruitment (percent of interested survivors who consent); adherence (the number of sessions attended); compliance (the degree to which the survivors follow the exercise prescription); and safety (all adverse events will be recorded)
  
  
• Changes in Muscular Endurance [ Time Frame: Baseline (end of week 1); Midpoint (end of week 7); Final (end of week 13) ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  Muscular Endurance will be assessed using the standard load test. Participants will lift a weight equal to 50% one repetition maximum as many times as possible. The bench press and leg press will be used to measure endurance of the upper and lower body.
  
  
• Changes in Body Composition [ Time Frame: Baseline (end of week 1); Midpoint (end of week 7); Final (end of week 13) ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  Body composition will be assessed using bioelectric impedance to determine percent body fat, lean body mass, and fat mass.
  
  
• Changes in Quality of Life [ Time Frame: Baseline (end of week 1); Midpoint (end of week 7); Final (end of week 13) ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  Quality of Life will be assessed using the Medical Outcomes Survey - Short Form. This survey measures multiple aspects of quality of life including: physical function, role-physical, bodily-pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, role-emotional, and mental health.
  
  
• Changes in Fatigue [ Time Frame: Baseline (end of week 1); Midpoint (end of week 7); Final (end of week 13) ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  Fatigue will me measured using the Fatigue scale of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Treatment. This is a 13 item questionnaire that measures the degree to which a cancer survivor experiences fatigue
  
  
• Changes in Physical Activity Levels [ Time Frame: Baseline (end of week 1); Midpoint (end of week 7); Final (end of week 13) ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  Physical activity will be estimated using the Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire.
  
  

As a result of cancer and its treatment, survivors of breast and gynecologic cancer are reported to have deficits in both physical and psycho-social health. In cancer survivors exercise has been shown to improve fitness, increase bone density and lean body mass, enhance self-esteem, and reduce fatigue. These changes have a positive effect on the survivor's physical functioning and quality of life. However, there are few studies which have examined the effects of strength training or studies aimed at determining optimal exercise prescription in this population. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to compare two strength training prescriptions (once-a-week vs. twice-a-week strength training) to determine which prescription (if any) results in greater benefit for survivors. It is hoped that the results of this study will lead to a better understanding of how strength training improves the health of survivors and will help inform future exercise guidelines for this population.