Plyometric Strength-Endurance Exercise in Breast Cancer

NCT07460492 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 2 other identifiers: 2025/2632025/001
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 51
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims to compare an adapted plyometric strength-endurance exercise program with conventional strength training in women who are breast cancer survivors or currently undergoing treatment and who participate in provincial support associations. The goal is to determine whether a targeted plyometric intervention can provide additional benefits in physical and mental health outcomes. Using a cluster-randomized clinical trial design, the study will assess indicators such as functional capacity, muscle strength, fatigue levels, symptoms related to lymphedema, and overall quality of life. The findings are expected to contribute to a better understanding of how structured exercise programs can support recovery, physical function, and well-being in women affected by breast cancer.

Conditions

Neoplams; Patients; Cancer Survivors

Keywords

Randomized Controlled Trial; Cluster Analysis; quality of life; physical functional performance; functional status; mental health

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Quality of life (Breast Cancer-Specific Quality of Life)

  EORTC QLQ-BR42: European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) to assess breast cancer-specific quality of life. Description: The EORTC QLQ-BR42 is a validated 42-item questionnaire designed to assess breast cancer-specific quality of life. It evaluates physical, emotional, and functional well-being, as well as symptoms and treatment-related side effects relevant to contemporary breast cancer therapies. The measure covers domains such as body image, sexual functioning, systemic therapy side effects, breast symptoms, and arm symptoms. Scoring: Items are scored according to the EORTC scoring manual. Scores are linearly transformed to a 0-100 scale. Higher scores on functional scales indicate better functioning; higher scores on symptom scales indicate greater symptom burden.

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 12 weeks, followed by an additional 12-week follow-up period

Secondary Outcomes (16)

• Cardiorespiratory capacity

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 12 weeks, followed by an additional 12-week follow-up period

• Cancer-related fatigue

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 12 weeks, followed by an additional 12-week follow-up period

• Mobility and range of motion

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 12 weeks, followed by an additional 12-week follow-up period

• Muscle strength

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 12 weeks, followed by an additional 12-week follow-up period

• Proprioception

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 12 weeks, followed by an additional 12-week follow-up period

Study Arms (2)

Plyometric Strength-Endurance Training Program

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in the experimental group will take part in an adapted plyometric strength-endurance training program delivered through supervised 60-minute sessions, twice per week, over a 12-week period (24 sessions total). A minimum rest interval of 48 hours will be maintained between sessions. The frequency and duration of the intervention follow the recommendations of the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) for the safe implementation of plyometric and strength-endurance exercise in adult populations. A total battery of 22 plyometric exercises has been designed based on previous scientific literature in which plyometric movements were adapted for individuals with various clinical conditions. These exercises are progressively structured to ensure safe neuromuscular adaptation, gradual increases in intensity, and individualized progression according to each participant's tolerance and functional capabilities.

Other: Plyometric Strength-Endurance Training

Conventional Strength Training

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants assigned to the control group will perform a conventional strength training program. This program has been designed as an active and structured intervention to allow a meaningful comparison with the effects of the plyometric training implemented in the experimental group. The exercise circuit will include functional movements aimed at global strengthening, with an emphasis on multi-joint patterns that promote transfer of improvements to activities of daily living. The program will be organized as a circuit of strength exercises performed after the warm-up phase and before the cool-down phase, delivered over a 12-week period through supervised 60-minute sessions held twice per week with at least 48 hours of rest between sessions to allow for adequate muscular recovery. Training volume will progress from 1-3 sets of 8 repetitions in weeks 1-2, increasing to 12-14 reps, and up to 4 sets in the final week based on tolerance.

Other: Conventional Strength Training

Interventions

Plyometric Strength-Endurance Training OTHER

Participants in the experimental group will take part in an adapted plyometric strength-endurance training program delivered through supervised 60-minute sessions, twice per week, over a 12-week period (24 sessions total). A minimum rest interval of 48 hours will be maintained between sessions. The frequency and duration of the intervention follow the recommendations of the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) for safe implementation of plyometric and strength-endurance exercise in adult populations.

Plyometric Strength-Endurance Training Program

Conventional Strength Training OTHER

Participants assigned to the control group will perform a conventional strength training program. This program has been designed as an active and structured intervention to allow a meaningful comparison with the effects of the plyometric training implemented in the experimental group. The exercise circuit will include functional movements aimed at global strengthening, with an emphasis on multi-joint patterns that promote transfer of improvements to activities of daily living.

Conventional Strength Training

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Women aged 18 years or older.
• Prior diagnosis of breast cancer.
• History of mastectomy, including unilateral procedures, total breast surgery, or breast-conserving surgery.
• Completion of postoperative chemotherapy or radiotherapy, when indicated.
• Absence of contraindications for physiotherapy or therapeutic exercise.
• Willingness to voluntarily participate in the study.
• Ability to understand and sign the informed consent form.
• Availability to participate in the training program for the entire intervention period (approximately 12 weeks).

You may not qualify if:

• Participants will be excluded if any of the following conditions are present:
• Active metastasis to other organs or tissues (e.g., liver, kidney, lung, brain) or stage IV cancer that prevents safe participation in the therapeutic exercise program.
• Current diagnosis of cardiovascular, respiratory, neuromuscular, or musculoskeletal diseases that contraindicate physical exercise or impair safe completion of the program.
• Major surgery within the previous 6 months without medical clearance to resume physical activity.
• Cognitive impairment or mental health conditions that limit comprehension of instructions or safe engagement in the intervention.
• Current pregnancy.
• Lack of medical clearance for moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (as indicated by a medical certificate specifying the duration of the restriction and the conditions under which exercise may be resumed).

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Vigo: lead

Study Sites (1)

Faculty of Physiotherapy

Pontevedra, Galicia, 36001, Spain

Location

Related Publications (20)

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MeSH Terms

Conditions

Psychological Well-Being

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Personal Satisfaction; Behavior

Study Officials

• Yoana Gonzalez Gonzalez, PhD

  University ofVigo

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Gloria M Cascallar Cascallar, Graduate

  SERGAS (Servicio galego de Saúde), Galician Health Service, Spanish Social Security System

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Yoana Gonzalez-Gonzalez, PhD

CONTACT

(+34) 986 801767; yoana@uvigo.gal

Gloria María Cascallar Cascallar, Graduate

CONTACT

gloria.maria.cascallar.cascallar@sergas.es

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Clinical researcher, PhD

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 3, 2026
• First Posted: March 10, 2026
• Study Start: April 20, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): July 20, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2027
• Last Updated: March 13, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

ES (1)