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ATLANTA -- A new study suggests that weightlifting may improve breast cancer survivors' outlook on life.
Researchers say about 80 percent of survivors who took up weight training twice a week saw improved scores on a quality-of-life survey.
In contrast, 51 percent of participants in a control group did.
Researchers said it appears the weightlifting helped the women regain a feeling of control of their bodies.
The physical and psychological benefits of exercise are well-documented. But this study was the first to apply scientific methodology to looking at how weight training helps women who have had breast cancer.
The study is to be published in an upcoming issue of the journal Cancer.
Fact Sheet
The Study
Researchers recruited 86 women from the Minneapolis-St. Paul area in late 2001 and early 2002
Each completed successful breast cancer treatment in past three years
Results published in an upcoming issue of the journal Cancer
First study to apply scientific methodology to how weight-training helps women who have had breast cancer
How Study Operated
Half assigned to an exercise group with weightlifting regimen
Second group had no such regimen
Both asked about physical well-being, marital happiness, sexual activity and other aspects of life
Findings
80 percent of women with twice-weekly weight training improved quality of life scores
51 percent of participants in a control group did
Weightlifting seemed to helped regain feeling of control of bodies
The more women improved on bench press, the better they felt overall
May be because breast cancer treatment can reduce ability to lift and carry things
Study Also:
Attempted to measure weight training's effect on depression
No measure of any significant effect
Maybe because small number of women had depression at start of study
Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press.
Researchers say about 80 percent of survivors who took up weight training twice a week saw improved scores on a quality-of-life survey.
In contrast, 51 percent of participants in a control group did.
Researchers said it appears the weightlifting helped the women regain a feeling of control of their bodies.
The physical and psychological benefits of exercise are well-documented. But this study was the first to apply scientific methodology to looking at how weight training helps women who have had breast cancer.
The study is to be published in an upcoming issue of the journal Cancer.
Fact Sheet
The Study
Researchers recruited 86 women from the Minneapolis-St. Paul area in late 2001 and early 2002
Each completed successful breast cancer treatment in past three years
Results published in an upcoming issue of the journal Cancer
First study to apply scientific methodology to how weight-training helps women who have had breast cancer
How Study Operated
Half assigned to an exercise group with weightlifting regimen
Second group had no such regimen
Both asked about physical well-being, marital happiness, sexual activity and other aspects of life
Findings
80 percent of women with twice-weekly weight training improved quality of life scores
51 percent of participants in a control group did
Weightlifting seemed to helped regain feeling of control of bodies
The more women improved on bench press, the better they felt overall
May be because breast cancer treatment can reduce ability to lift and carry things
Study Also:
Attempted to measure weight training's effect on depression
No measure of any significant effect
Maybe because small number of women had depression at start of study
Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press.