Weight training does not promote lymphoedema in breast cancer survivors.

Question: In women whose breast cancer treatment included axillary dissection, does weight training increase strength without precipitating or exacerbating arm lymphoedema? Design: Randomised, controlled trial with blinded assessors. Setting: University of Minnesota Recreational Centre. Participants: Women 4 to 36 months after treatment for breast cancer that included axillary node dissection beyond sentinel node biopsy. Exclusion criteria included hypertension, morbid obesity (body mass index > 40 kg/ m2), participation in a weight loss plan, and co-morbidities that prevented exercise training. Forty-six participants were randomised to an exercise training group (n = 23) or a control group receiving no intervention (n = 23). Interventions: Exercise training consisted of upper and lower limb, chest, and back exercises for one hour, twice per week, with resistance applied via machines or free weights. Upper body resistance was increased by the smallest available increment at each session if no symptoms of lymphoedema had developed. Lower body exercise commenced at one set of ten repetitions with the maximum tolerated weight, progressing to three sets by the third week. Stretching exercises were also performed. Exercise was performed in small groups with supervision for three months, followed Weight training does not promote lymphoedema in breast cancer survivors