Resistance Exercise: A Potential Intervention for Managing Cardiovascular Health in Individuals with a History of Cancer

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a significant long-term health risk for survivors of cancer, particularly those who have received chemotherapy. Mitigation strategies for cancer treatment-related cardiovascular toxicity traditionally include dose reduction, early cessation of cardiotoxic treatments, pharmacological interventions, and lifestyle modifications such as dietary adjustments and increased physical activity. While aerobic exercise is well-documented for its cardioprotective effects, the role of resistance exercise in this context remains inadequately explored. MAIN TEXT: This review examines the potential of resistance exercise to mitigate cardiovascular toxicity in survivors of cancer by addressing key mechanisms such as oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, chronic inflammation, and ectopic fat accumulation. Additionally, resistance exercise has shown promise in enhancing muscle quality and strength, factors closely linked to CVD risk and mortality. Despite encouraging results from studies in non-cancer populations, evidence within oncology settings remains sparse and inconsistent. The combined application of aerobic and resistance exercise may offer synergistic benefits for cardiovascular health and overall physical function. CONCLUSIONS: Future research should prioritize investigating the independent and combined effects of resistance exercise, optimizing exercise prescriptions to improve cardiovascular outcomes and quality of life in survivors. This review highlights the imperative for further research to elucidate the full cardioprotective potential of resistance exercise in this population.