Effects of an aqua fitness program on upper limb mobility and strength in female breast cancer survivors: a pilot study

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of an aqua fitness program on upper limb mobility and strength in breast cancer survivors. Methods: 9 women volunteers (Age: 52.6 ± 10.1 years; Weight: 69.52 ± 11.71 kg; Height: 1.66 ± 0.07 m; BMI: 24.98 ± 2.67 kg/m2) participated in the study. All participants completed chemotherapy and radiotherapy for at least 3 months and had no contraindications to the activity. The intervention protocol included thirteen 1-h supervised sessions of aqua-fitness. To analyze the mobility of the upper limbs, the DASH questionnaire (Disability of arm, shoulder and hand) whereas for the upper limb strength the handgrip test was administered using a dynamometer (Jamar, USA). All tests have been administered one week prior (pre) and one week after (post) the intervention Results: Regarding the DASH questionnaire, descriptive statistics (mean ± SD) showed a 23.6% (SD: 20.8) decrease from the beginning (22.1% ± 17.2%) to the end (17% ± 12.2%) of the intervention. Concerning the upper limb strength, results showed an increase in strength expressed in both limbs (homolateral pre: 16.75 kg—ipsilateral post: 21.375 kg; contralateral pre: 22.00 kg—contralateral post: 22.75 kg). Conclusions: The results obtained seem to recognize aqua fitness as an activity indicated for counteracting the side effects of the treatments for breast cancer. In fact, an improvement was noted in most of the subjects analyzed as regards the degree of disability of the hand, limb and shoulder. As far as strength is concerned, however, in all subjects participating in the activity, an increase in muscle strength was recorded in the limbs, both in the homolateral and contralateral limb. Acknowledgments: We thank the national association of women with breast surgery (ANDOS) section of Fondi for participating in the study with their associates; we also thank the Sport Village Fondi club for the hospitality and availability provided during the intervention period.