Definition: "An ergogenic aid is any substance or phenomenon that enhances performance "
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19.05.2012 |
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Bootcamp during chemo boosts your chances
Women undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer can improve their survival chances by exercising during the treatment period. We draw this conclusion from a small study that oncologists at the University of Texas published in Breast Cancer: Basic and Clinical Research.
Exercise & cancer
Studies also seem to indicate that physical exercise helps cancer patients to get through their chemotherapy. Physical exercise may improve the effectiveness of chemotherapy, and probably also reduces the side effects of the medication. But before you can make assertions like this you have to do research, and that’s exactly what the Texans have done.
Study
The women underwent chemotherapy, and were treated with adriamycin, cyclophosphamide and taxol. Half of the women did nothing else; the other half did bootcamp-type training for three hours a week from the first week of their chemotherapy. They continued this throughout their chemotherapy, which lasted 4-6 months.
The training sessions consisted of jumping jacks, running in place and strength training for upper and lower body using elastic bands and weights up to 3 kg. The trainers encouraged the women to find the limits to their endurance capacity, but not to exceed them.
Results
Ki-67 [structure shown here] is a marker for cancer. The higher the concentration of this protein in your body, the faster tumours grow.
Many women who are treated for breast cancer put on weight, and this extra weight is made up almost entirely of fat. Studies have shown that excess body fat reduces the survival chances of cancer patients. The BMI of the bootcamp women went down by almost 3 points however.
Conclusion
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