Pumping Iron, Physical Function, and Breast Cancer Survivors

To determine whether modest exercise could preserve or improve physical function for nonmetastatic breast cancer survivors, investigators conducted a 12-month, single-blind, randomized, controlled trial in which 295 women were assigned to a twice-per-week weight-lifting program or standard baseline activity (controls).

During the first 13 weeks, the weight-lifting group participated in supervised sessions that included stretching, aerobic warm-up, and lifting exercises for the upper and lower body; for the remaining 39 weeks, the group followed the same program without supervision. Characteristics of the weight-lifting and control groups were similar (mean age, about 56 years; more than 60% were white; nearly half had stage I/II disease; hal…