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Cancer Survivorship and Care / Cancer Risks and Factors / Chemotherapy-induced Cardiotoxicity and Mitigation · Journal article
Cardio-oncology · September 9, 2026
Early or partial results. Treat as a signal, not a conclusion.
This is a protocol paper describing a planned 12-week RCT comparing structured aerobic and resistance training to stretching and yoga control in 60 female breast cancer survivors aged ≥60 years. No results are reported; the study aims to evaluate whether exercise improves cardiopulmonary fitness (VO₂ peak), skeletal muscle composition, physical function, and cardiovascular risk in an understudied high-risk population.
Parallel-group randomized controlled trial. Female breast cancer survivors aged ≥60 years, ≥1 year post-cardiotoxic therapy (chemotherapy and/or radiation), recruited to address understudied older, long-term survivors at high CVD risk.. Intervention: 12 weeks of combined aerobic and resistance training.. Compared with: 12 weeks of stretching and yoga control.. n = 60. University of Alberta (single centre, Canada implied by institutional context)..
Sample: 60 female BC survivors aged ≥60 years, ≥1 year post-cardiotoxic therapy, randomized 1:1 to exercise (n=30) or control (n=30) Intervention: 12 weeks combined aerobic and resistance training versus stretching and yoga control Primary outcome: exercise arterio-venous oxygen difference (measured via magnetic resonance imaging and lower leg blood flow assessment)
Safety was not reported in the material analysed. Check the source before drawing any conclusion about harm.
This trial addresses a significant evidence gap in an understudied, high-risk population. Once results are available, they may inform exercise prescription and CVD risk reduction strategies for older cancer survivors, though the small sample size will limit definitive clinical guidance.
This is a rationale-and-design paper for a small, single-centre RCT that has not yet reported results; it describes planned methods and hypotheses rather than outcomes.
As stated by the source record.
Quoted from the source exactly as published.
This trial addresses a significant evidence gap in an understudied, high-risk population. Once results are available, they may inform exercise prescription and CVD risk reduction strategies for older cancer survivors, though the small sample size will limit definitive clinical guidance.
Graded across the dimensions that decide whether you should act, each from what the source actually supports. There is no single score, and where a dimension was not assessed it says so.
As breast cancer (BC) survivorship improves, cardiovascular disease (CVD), has become the leading cause of non-cancer death in older survivors. This risk is driven by cardiotoxic treatments, underlying CVD risk factors, and sedentary deconditioning. Despite the established benefits of exercise training, older, long-term BC survivors—the population at greatest CVD risk—remain underrepresented in research. This randomized controlled trial will enroll 60 female BC survivors (aged ≥ 60 years, ≥ 1-year post-cardiotoxic therapy), randomizing them to 12 weeks combined aerobic and resistance training ( n = 30) or a stretching and yoga control ( n = 30). Comprehensive assessments at baseline and 12 weeks include cardiopulmonary (VO 2 peak) exercise testing, magnetic resonance imaging to measure whole-body VO₂ and its Fick determinants, and maximal plantar flexion exercise to measure lower leg blood flow, oxygen extraction, VO 2, and mitochondrial oxidative capacity. We will also measure calf muscle composition, aerobic endurance (6-minute walk), physical function (SPPB), Framingham CVD risk score, and quality of life (FACT-B). The primary outcome is exercise arterio-venous oxygen difference. Analyses will follow intention-to-treat principles; the primary comparison will use ANCOVA adjusting for baseline outcome and stratification factors, with sensitivity analyses including per-protocol and multiple imputation for missing data. Adherence will be tracked via session attendance and trainer logs. The trial was registered with prior to enrollment and approved by the University of Alberta institutional review board. This is the first randomized controlled trial to investigate if a structured exercise program can improve whole-body and peripheral determinants of VO 2 peak, enhance skeletal muscle composition, and improve physical function and quality of life and reduce CVD risk in older, long-term BC, a high-risk and understudied population. NCT06595147
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