Key Fitness Variables as Predictors of Psychological Well Being in Breast Cancer Survivors

Enduring negative effects from breast cancer (BrCa) treatment have motivated investigators to study interventions aimed at improving survivor quality of life (QOL). Moderate to vigorous physical activity is believed to improve survivor QOL but surprisingly little is known about the direct relationship between key fitness variables and survivor QOL. This study investigated whether predictive and/or significant correlational relationships exist between VO2 peak and/or grip strength and survivor QOL, before and after a 12 week physical activity (PA) training program. At baseline, a significant correlation was found between physical well-being and VO2 peak (r=0.59, p <0.05) and grip strength (r =0.55, p<0.05) in breast cancer survivor PA trainees but only in those reporting low levels of BrCa symptoms. Significant positive correlations were additionally observed between emotional well being (r =0.71, p <0.01), and functional well being (r =0.69, p <0.01) with grip strength (but not VO2 peak) in this low symptom reporting group. BrCa symptom levels for individuals reporting the highest symptoms ( = - 0.28; p = 0.007), and grip strength ( = 0.17; p = 0.01) were each significant predictors of QOL at baseline while VO2 peak was not. After 12 weeks of PA training, participants who adhered to the exercise class (>50% attendance) had significantly higher VO2 peak and QOL than individuals who did not adhere. These results emphasize symptomology and grip strength in predicting QOL status in BrCa survivors at baseline. The importance of exercise class adherence is emphasized.