Josefina Bertoli

This study evaluated isometric muscle strength (elbow and knee flexors and extensors), screen time, and their associations with individual and contextual factors in pediatric oncology patients. A portable dynamometer and a questionnaire were used. Muscle strength was below age- and sex-specific norms. Screen time exceeded 4 hours/day in 42% of participants on weekdays and in 31.4% on weekends. Solid tumours are correlated with chemotherapy (r=0.56; p=0.001), and sex correlated negatively with sedentary behavior (r=–0.37; p=0.030), indicating that females reported higher sedentary behavior than males. In the multiple regression model, age was the only independent predictor of muscle strength (β= 10.07, p= 0.001). The observed deficits in muscle strength and high screen time suggest that strategies addressing physical activity and sedentary behavior warrant consideration in pediatric oncology care.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of adherence to mat Pilates training on lower and upper body strength and flexibility in breast cancer survivors. Breast cancer survivors ( ≥ 40 years) with cancer stages 0–III undergoing hormone therapy participated in this study. For this secondary investigation only the intervention group was analyzed, divided into low and high training adherence. Participants performed a 60-min session of mat Pilates, 3 times/wk, for 24 weeks. Concentric, eccentric, and isometric hip flexor-extensor muscle peak torque, and isometric maximal strength parameters of the shoulder abductors, trunk extensors, and handgrip were assessed. Physical activity level was analyzed as a control variable. The results showed that high training adherence improved (P< 0.05) left shoulder abductor strength parameters and lower and upper body flexibility compared to baseline. The low training adherence group improved (P< 0.05) trunk extensors, right and left shoulder abductor strength parameters, handgrip strength, and extensor-flexor peak torque compared to baseline. There were no differences (P> 0.05) between high and low adherence for physical activity level before and after the intervention. Therefore, it appears that higher training adherence most influences some strength parameters and flexibility, while fewer sessions enable the achievement of significant results for shoulder abductor and hip extensor-flexor muscle strength parameters.

To evaluate the effects of 24 weeks of Mat Pilates in breast cancer survivors (BCS) undergoing hormone therapy on lower and upper body muscle strength parameters and flexibility.Forty-three BCS (≥4...

BACKGROUND: Anticancer treatment gives rise to adverse effects such as increased pain and changes to body weight and menstrual cycles, with negative effects on activities of daily living. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect of food orientation combined with supervised (face-to-face, FF) versus home-based (HB) aerobic training on lifestyle (food consumption and daily physical activity (PA) levels), body composition, metabolic profile and cardiorespiratory fitness, among breast cancer survivors. DESIGN AND SETTING: Clinical trial study (six months) conducted at a public university in Presidente Prudente, Brazil. METHODS: Twenty-three female breast cancer survivors (40-75 years old) were allocated to aerobic training groups, either FF or HB. Both groups were trained and received food orientation. They were evaluated through a dietary record, ergometric treadmill test and blood test and the Baecke questionnaire. RESULTS: After six months, both groups had reduced their lipid levels, total energy consumption and polyunsaturated fat intake, and had increased their PA levels and treadmill test durations. However, only the HB showed reduced carbohydrate percentage and increased folic acid; and only the FF showed reduced lipid, saturated fat and sodium levels, along with increased carbohydrate and protein levels. No differences in body composition or metabolic profile were found. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrated the feasibility of HB aerobic training. In isolation, HB showed greater regulation of carbohydrate percentage and increased folic acid levels. Moreover, these breast cancer survivors presented improvements in food consumption, PA levels and cardiorespiratory fitness, while also maintaining their body composition and metabolic profile after the intervention, independent of the group.