Objective: Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women worldwide, with survivors often experiencing long-term side effects such as chronic inflammation and oxidative stress. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of an 8-week aquatic aerobic training program on serum levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in breast cancer survivors.
Methods: This quasi-experimental study involved 20 breast cancer survivors who were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n = 10) that underwent aquatic aerobic exercise or a control group (n = 10) that received no intervention. Pre- and post-test measurements of IL-4 and MDA levels were taken to assess the impact of the exercise intervention. The aquatic aerobic training program lasted 8 weeks, with sessions held three times per week. Serum levels of IL-4 and MDA were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA).
Results: The results revealed a significant reduction in IL-4 levels in the experimental group (p = 0.001), while no significant change was observed in the control group (p = 0.861). Similarly, MDA levels were significantly reduced in the experimental group (p = 0.001), while the control group showed no significant change (p = 0.659). These findings suggest that aquatic aerobic exercise may reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in breast cancer survivors.
Conclusion: In conclusion, aquatic aerobic exercise appears to be a beneficial intervention for improving inflammatory and oxidative biomarkers in breast cancer survivors, potentially contributing to better long-term health outcomes.