Indoor Rowing as a Novel Exercise Therapy for Cardiovascular Rehabilitation in Middle-Aged and Older Breast Cancer Survivors Following Chemotherapy

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the impact of a new exercise program using indoor rowing on cardiovascular rehabilitation in middle-aged and older breast cancer survivors who have completed chemotherapy. This study focuses on those who have a higher risk of heart disease due to their prior cancer treatment and aims to find ways to reduce this risk through targeted exercise. The research is sponsored by the University of Florida and involves women aged 40 to 80 years who have been treated for non-metastatic breast cancer stages I-III. Participants in the study will be randomly assigned to either a supervised indoor rowing exercise group or receive usual care with no intervention. Those in the rowing group will be trained on how to use the rowing machine and gradually build up to 50 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, three times per week, over 12 weeks. After completing their assessments, participants in the usual care group may also have the opportunity to try the rowing program. Throughout the study, researchers will monitor heart function using specific measures such as brachial flow-mediated dilation and global longitudinal strain before and after the 12 weeks of training. They will track how well participants adhere to the exercise plan by recording frequency, duration, and intensity of workouts. Safety will be carefully observed by noting any adverse events during the exercise program. Overall, participation lasts for about 12 weeks, with evaluations conducted at the start and end of the exercise period.

Rowing Following Breast Cancer Chemotherapy