A regimen consisting of resistance training and aerobic exercise improved body composition in breast cancer survivors taking aromatase inhibitors, according to a study involving 121 individuals.

Participants were randomized to either supervised resistance training and 150 min/wk of aerobic activity (n=61) or usual care (n=60). Investigators assessed BMI, percent body fat, lean body mass, and bone mineral density at baseline, 6 months, and 1 year. Among the results:

• At 1 year, lean body mass increased by 0.32 kg in the exercise group; it decreased by 0.88 kg in those who received usual care.
• Percent body fat decreased by 1.4% in the intervention group; it increased by 0.48% in those receiving usual care.
• BMI decreased by 0.73 kg/m2 in the group that exercised; it increased by 0.17 kg/m2 in the usual care contingent.
• Bone mineral density change was not significantly different.