The Effect of 8 Weeks of HICT Training on Serum Levels of BDNF and TNFα and Aerobic Power in Breast Cancer Survivors: Randomized Clinical Trial

Introduction: In patients with breast cancer, low serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels and high serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α level have been reported. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of eight weeks of high-intensity circuit training on serum levels of BDNF and TNFα and aerobic power in breast cancer survivors. Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted at Shahid Rahimi Hospital Oncology Center in Khorramabad in 2018. Seventeen breast cancer survivors were selected from a group of 55 women who had undergone chemotherapy and radiation therapy and randomly divided into an exercise (n = 9) or a control (n = 8) group. The exercise group performed high-intensity circuit training (HICT) three sessions per week for eight weeks. Data were analyzed using a paired-samples t test and an analysis of covariance. Results: The results of the t test showed that after eight weeks, serum levels of BDNF and TNF-α were significantly increased in both groups (p ˂ 0.05), although the difference between the groups was not significant. Aerobic power significantly increased only in the exercise group (p = 0.0005). In addition, the results of the analysis of covariance showed only a significant difference in aerobic power between the two groups (p ˂ 0.05). Conclusion: Eight weeks of HICT training in breast cancer survivors can increase aerobic capacity without affecting serum levels of BDNF and TNFα.