Functional Outcomes for Breast Cancer Survivors Following an Intense Resistance Training Program Based on Surgical Management of the Breast and Axilla.

Authors

Lucia Castro Hernandez, David J Carpenter, Thomas B Julian, Suzanne B Coopey, Emil J Fernando, Chris Peluso, Colin E Champ

Published in

Annals of surgical oncology. Jul 06, 2026. Epub Jul 06, 2026.

Abstract

Upper extremity resistance training was historically discouraged after mastectomy or axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) because of concerns regarding impaired shoulder mobility, upper extremity dysfunction, and lymphedema. Whether breast or axillary surgical management influences improvements in strength, mobility, and functional performance following structured resistance training remains unclear. We hypothesized that patients undergoing mastectomy, ALND, or radiation would demonstrate lower functional and strength outcomes than those undergoing lumpectomy, sentinel lymph node biopsy, or no radiation.
We performed a secondary analysis of 197 breast cancer survivors completing a 12-week supervised resistance training program. Participants were stratified by breast surgery type (lumpectomy vs. mastectomy) and axillary management (ALND vs. no ALND). Baseline and post-intervention assessments included body composition, Functional Movement Screen (FMS), Y-balance, grip strength, and composite load lifted. Multivariable linear regression evaluated predictors of baseline FMS and FMS improvement.
Baseline body composition and functional parameters did not differ by breast surgery type or axillary management. Both mastectomy and lumpectomy groups demonstrated significant improvements in body mass index, muscle mass percentage, body fat percentage, phase angle, FMS, and load lifted (all p<0.001). Similar improvements were observed among patients with and without ALND, although patients without ALND demonstrated greater Y-balance gains (p=0.036). Older age and radiation therapy were associated with lower baseline FMS, whereas older age predicted smaller FMS improvement. Surgical management was not independently associated with baseline function or improvement.
Resistance training yields meaningful functional gains independent of breast or axillary surgical management, supporting broad implementation in breast cancer survivorship.

PMID:
42410291
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 07 Jul 2026.

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