Table 1 Summary of studies investigating the cardiovascular effects of exercise interventions during breast cancer treatment

Courneya et al. 2007 [58]

242 women initiating adjuvant chemotherapy

Supervised aerobic exercise, 15–45 min/d at 60 % - 80 % of VO_2peak, 3 d/wk (n = 78); supervised resistance exercise, 2 sets of 9 exercises at 60 % - 70 % of 1-repetition maximum, 3 d/wk (n = 82); or usual care (n = 82). All interventions continued for the duration of chemotherapy (mean 17 wks).

↑ VO_2peak and ↑ self-esteem with aerobic exercise compared to usual care; ↑ self–esteem, ↑ muscular strength, and ↑ lean body mass with resistance training compared to usual care.

Courneya et al. 2013 [59]

301 women initiating adjuvant chemotherapy

Supervised aerobic exercise, 25–30 min/d at 55 % - 75 % of VO_2peak, 3 d/wk (STD, n = 96); supervised aerobic exercise at 55 % - 75 % of VO_2peak, 50–60 min/d, 3 d/wk (HIGH, n = 101); or combined supervised aerobic exercise (25–30 min/d) and resistance exercise (2 sets of 9 exercises at 60 % - 75 % of 1-repetition maximum), 50–60 min/d, 3 d/wk (COMB, n = 104). All interventions continued for the duration of chemotherapy (mean 16 weeks).

Decline in VO_2peak attenuated with HIGH compared to COMB. No significant difference between HIGH and STD on VO_2peak.

Haykowsky et al. 2009 [60]

17 women receiving adjuvant trastuzumab

Supervised aerobic exercise, 30–60 min/d at 60 % - 90 % of VO_2peak, 3 d/wk × 4 mo.

No change in VO_2peak, SBP, or DBP; ↑ LVEDV, ↑LVESV, and ↓ LVEF with exercise.

Hornsby et al. 2014 [68]

20 women receiving neoadjuvant doxorubicin plus cyclophosphamide

Supervised aerobic exercise, 15–45 min/d at 60 % - 70 % of VO_2peak and planned interval sessions, 3 d/wk × 12 wks (n = 10); or usual care (n = 10)

↑ VO_2peak with exercise

Kim et al. 2006 [69]

41 women undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy

Supervised aerobic exercise, 30 min at 60 % - 70 % of VO_2peak, 3 d/wk × 8 wks (n = 22); or control (n = 19)

↓ HR, ↓ SBP, ↑ VO_2peak with aerobic exercise compared to control.

MacVicar et al. 1989 [70]

45 women receiving chemotherapy for stage II breast cancer

Supervised aerobic exercise at 60 % - 85 % of maximum heart rate, 3 d/wk × 10 wks (n = 18); non-aerobic stretching and flexibility exercises (n = 11); or control (n = 16)

↑ VO_2peak with aerobic exercise compared to non-aerobic stretching and control.

Segal et al. 2001 [71]

123 women with stage I/II breast cancer receiving adjuvant therapy (radiotherapy, hormonal therapy, or chemotherapy)

Self-directed exercise at 50 % - 60 % of VO_2peak, 5 d/wk × 26 wks (n = 40); supervised exercise at 50 % to 60 %% of VO_2peak 3 d/wk and self-directed exercise at same level 2 d/wk × 26 wks (n = 42); or usual care (n = 41).

↑ VO_2peak in supervised exercise group compared to control in patients not receiving chemotherapy; no difference between groups in VO_2peak among patients receiving chemotherapy.

Vincent et al. 2013 [72]

42 women with stage I-III breast cancer beginning first line adjuvant chemotherapy

Home-based walking program at 50 % - 60 % of maximum heart rate, 3 d/wk × 12 wks.

↑ VO_2peak and ↑ 6MWT distance.