Table 2 Summary of studies investigating the cardiovascular effects of exercise interventions after completion of breast cancer treatment

Courneya et al. 2003 [62]

53 post-menopausal breast cancer survivors after completion of surgery, radiotherapy, and/or chemotherapy

Supervised aerobic exercise, 15 – 35 min/d at 70 % - 75 % of VO_2peak, 3 d/wk × 15 wks (n = 25); or control (n = 28).

↑ VO_2peak and ↑ self-reported QOL with aerobic exercise compared to control.

Daley et al. 2006 [73]

108 women treated for breast cancer 12 to 36 months previously

Supervised aerobic exercise, 50 min/d at 65 % - 85 % maximum heart rate and RPE 12–13, 3 d/wk × 8 wks (n =34); exercise-placebo, 50 min/d of light-intensity body conditioning/stretching, 3 d/wk × 8 wks (n = 36); or usual care (n = 38).

↑ fitness measured by submaximal walking test with aerobic exercise and exercise-placebo compared to usual care.

Hutnick et al. 2005 [74]

49 survivors of stage I-III breast cancer

Supervised aerobic exercise, 10 – 20 min/d at 60 % - 75 % of VO_2peak, plus resistance training, total session 40–90 min/d, 3 d/wk × 6 months (n = 28); or control (n = 21).

↑ VO_2peak and ↑ upper body strength

Pinto et al. 2005 [75]

86 women after completing treatment for stage 0-II breast cancer

Home-based aerobic exercise, 10 – 30 min/d at 55 % - 65 % of maximum heart rate, 5 d/wk × 12 wks (n = 43); or control (n = 43)

↑ fitness (↓ time for 1-mile walk test); no change in BMI or % body fat with aerobic exercise compared to control.

Schneider et al. 2007 [63]

113 women with breast cancer: 96 completed radiation and/or chemotherapy, and 17 undergoing concurrent cancer treatment with exercise

Supervised aerobic exercise, 60 min/d at 40 %–75 % of heart rate reserve, 2–3 d/wk × 6 months

↑ VO_2peak, ↓ SBP, ↓ resting heart rate, ↓ fatigue with aerobic exercise after completion of cancer treatment.