An innovative study conducted by Hospital del Mar, in collaboration with Fundació Claror and TecnoCampus, has revealed the significant benefits of physical exercise for women who have overcome breast cancer. This research, part of the AQUAFIT project developed between September 2020 and September 2022, has recently been published in the “Breast Cancer” journal.
The study examined 28 breast cancer survivors, randomly divided to participate in water-based or land-based exercise programs. During the program, 24 sessions of therapeutic exercise were carried out, all tailored by specialized physiotherapists. Attendance was considerably high, exceeding 80% in both groups.
The results were significant: participants who did aquatic exercises showed an 18% reduction in cancer-related symptoms, while those who did land-based exercises achieved a 35% decrease. Additionally, an improvement in physical function was observed, increasing by 8 to 11%.
Dr. Mar Vernet-Tomás, coordinator of the Breast Pathology Unit at Hospital del Mar, commented that “aquatic exercises can be as effective as land-based exercises in improving the quality of life and physical function of breast cancer survivors”. Furthermore, the study emphasized the high acceptance of aquatic exercises among participants and their positive long-term effect on physical activity.
The benefits observed were not limited to physical condition: there was also an improvement in body composition, reducing fat percentage and increasing muscle mass, particularly in the aquatic group. However, it was noted that the improvements did not persist after the end of the program. Encouragingly, women who participated in aquatic activities continued to increase their level of moderate to vigorous physical activity in the following weeks.
Researchers such as Raquel Sebio-García and Esther Mur-Gimeno emphasized that aquatic exercise is not only effective in the physical aspect, but could also offer additional benefits in sexual function. These findings highlight the importance of tailoring exercise programs to the specific needs of patients, thus promoting greater adherence to physical activity.
Finally, Dr. Marta Coll, from the Wellness and Health Area at Claror Marítim, highlighted the importance of integrating aquatic exercises into the recovery and health maintenance plans of breast cancer survivors, setting a precedent for future interventions.
Referrer: MiMub in Spanish