Is handgrip strength a good indicator of physical fitness and body composition in breast cancer patients who have completed their core treatments? The EFICAN study
Abstract
Objectives: This study evaluated the association between handgrip strength (HGS) and various parameters of physical fitness and body composition in female breast cancer survivors.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with the baseline data from the EFICAN (Ejercicio FÍsico para supervivientes de CÁNcer de mama) clinical trial. 60 female breast cancer survivors who had completed the core treatments of the disease in the 10 years prior to the study beginning, who didn’t have any cardiovascular or pulmonary disease, metastatic breast cancer or awaited breast cancer reconstruction in the following 3 months, participated. Handgrip strength was assessed using a digital dynamometer, peak isometric strength was determined using an electromechanical dynamometer, cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2máx) was estimated through the Siconolfi step test, shoulder flexion mobility was assessed through digital goniometry and body composition was determined using a bioelectrical impedance device.
Results: Positive associations between HGS and muscle mass (r=0.423), isometric upper-limb (r=0.523) and lower-limb (r=0.335) strength were found, and a negative association between HGS and fat mass percentage (r=-0.405) was also found. However, no associations between HGS and VO2máx or shoulder flexion mobility were found (P>0.05).
Conclusions: These results suggest that HGS may be a good indicator of muscular strength and body composition in female breast cancer survivors. Future prospective studies are needed to assess the predictive value of HGS in this population.
