The Effects Of Light-intensity Physical Activity On Health Outcomes Among Older Adult Breast Cancer Survivors With Obesity

While ACSM guidelines-based moderate to vigorous intensity aerobic physical activity has been extensively studied in cancer survivors, these levels of physical activity are often difficult to achieve among survivors who are older, obese, or both. The potential benefits of a more accessible, light intensity physical activity (LIPA) intervention among this less active population remain less understood. PURPOSE: To investigate the salutary effects of incorporating LIPA among older adult breast cancer survivors with obesity. METHODS: Obese, older adult breast cancer survivors 1-10 years post treatment (n=20) aged 65-84 years were randomly assigned to either a telephone-based LIPA intervention, or a control group maintaining their usual behavior. The intervention group received tailored guidance to increase LIPA through activities such as walking, gardening, and household chores. Both groups were monitored for 15 weeks, with assessments at baseline, and endpoint. Outcome measures included inflammatory markers (CRP, IL6, TNF-alpha), and physical function (six-minute walk test). Hedges’ d effect sizes (95% confidence intervals) calculated the magnitude of change between groups. RESULTS: The group randomized to the LIPA intervention displayed significantly favorable, large magnitude effect sizes in inflammatory marker responses for TNF-alpha (d = 1.25 (0.27 to 2.24)). Inflammatory responses for IL6 and CRP favored the LIPA condition, but did not reach significance (d=0.32 (-0.58 to 1.22), d=0.49 (-0.43 to 1.40) respectively). These responses represented relative stability in the LIPA condition, and a worsening of inflammatory markers in the usual care control group. Six-minute walk test distance significantly improved in the LIPA condition in comparison to the usual care condition (d=1.22 (0.22 to 2.24)). CONCLUSION: This planned mid-way analyses of an ongoing RCT contributes valuable insights into the potential health benefits of integrating light intensity physical activity into daily routines among individuals unlikely to meet current ACSM guidelines levels of moderate-to-vigorous aerobic physical activity. The findings highlight the importance of considering LIPA as a potentially feasible and pragmatic approach to improve health among older adult breast cancer survivors with obesity. This work is funded through a postdoctoral fellowship F32AG078229 awarded to Dr. Brett R. Gordon from the National Institute on Aging