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Review
. 2024 Dec 27;13(1):33.
doi: 10.3390/healthcare13010033.

Efficacy of Concurrent Training in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Physical, Psychological, and Biomarker Variables

Ricardo Madeira  1   2   3 , Dulce Esteves  1   2 , Adriana Maia  1   2 , Ana R Alves  1   2 , Diogo L Marques  1   2 , Henrique P Neiva  1   2
Affiliations
Review

Efficacy of Concurrent Training in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Physical, Psychological, and Biomarker Variables

Ricardo Madeira et al. Healthcare (Basel). .

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer treatments often cause serious side effects, but physical exercise has shown the potential to improve both the physical and psychological health outcomes of survivors. This review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize and analyze the scientific evidence on the effectiveness of concurrent training on physical, psychological, and biomarkers variables on breast cancer survivors.; Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024571851). The ISI Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus databases were searched. The methodological quality of all the included studies was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. This review included 14 articles that met the inclusion criteria on the effect of concurrent training on breast cancer survivors.

Results: The results of the meta-analysis on body composition revealed a significant overall effect on body mass (effect size [ES] = -2.23; 95% CI: -4.16, -0.29) and body mass index (ES = -0.66; 95% CI: -1.32, 0.01). In contrast, no significant differences were shown in the % fat mass (ES = -2.63; 95% CI: -5.58, 0.33). Strength significantly improved after simultaneous training (ES = 4.93; 95% CI: 1.94, 7.92). In addition, cardiorespiratory fitness (maximum oxygen consumption) showed significant improvements after simultaneous training (ES = 3.03; 95% CI: 1.88, 4.19).

Conclusions: The research shows that concurrent training, including strength and aerobic exercises, promotes significant improvements in body mass, body mass index, muscle strength, and cardiorespiratory fitness. However, the effectiveness of the training depends on the intensity, duration and frequency of the exercise, as well as the individualization of the programs.

Keywords: cancer; cardiorespiratory fitness; concurrent training; exercise; strength.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flowchart diagram of screening studies included in this Review using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Forest plot of the meta-analysis of the effect of concurrent training in breast cancer survivors [27,37,39,41,43,44,45,46,47].
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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