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NCT Number: NCT07739563

EXERT-BC Cardio: Cardio or Conditioning Training With Breast Cancer

In this study, the investigators hypothesize that observed intense resistance training with conditioning elicits similar changes in body composition, muscle mass, and blood pressure as that with cardiovascular training (or cardio) for women treated with breast cancer.

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Key information

Conditions

Cancer Behavior Breast Cancer Breast Diseases Breast Neoplasms Motor Activity Neoplasms Neoplasms by Site Skin Diseases Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases

Age range

20 year–89 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

AHN Allegheny General Hospital

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15212, United States

Location contact

Clinical Trials Contact

CONTACT

[email protected]

412-330-6151

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Age 20-89 years
  • Women prescribed exercise as a SOC
  • Women with a biopsy proven diagnosis of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) or invasive carcinoma of the breast
  • Women must have undergone treatment for breast cancer, including one or more of the following: surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or hormonal therapy. Women undergoing active chemotherapy are not allowed on study. Immunotherapy or targeted agent usage is allowed.
  • Women with > 3 months of resistance training experience under expert guidance by a CSCS
  • Must be able to read and understand English and consent for themselves.

Exclusion criteria

  • Any current treatment with cytotoxic chemotherapy for breast cancer
  • Inability to safely engage in group sessions of resistance training as deemed by study PI
  • Severe arthritic, joint, cardiovascular, or musculoskeletal condition deemed by PI to be unsafe to engage in resistance training
  • Beta blocker or GLP-1 inhibitor medications
  • Pregnant women
  • Males

Treatment and study plan

Resistance Training with Cardio

Behavioral

Participants in this arm will engage in a supervised exercise regimen three times per week, for approximately 2 months (8 weeks). The regimen combines two days of hypertrophy-focused resistance training with a third day dedicated to steady-state cardiovascular exercise. The cardio day will utilize ergometer-based exercises (rowing ergometer, Assault Air Bike) and unweighted sled pushes, with each activity lasting 10 minutes continuously. The overall program aims to improve cardiorespiratory fitness and body composition in breast cancer survivors, under the guidance of Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialists (CSCS).

Resistance Training with Conditioning

Behavioral

Participants in this arm will engage in a supervised exercise regimen three times per week, for approximately 2 months (8 weeks). The regimen combines two days of hypertrophy-focused resistance training with a third day dedicated to high-intensity conditioning. The conditioning day involves a circuit format of 6 total exercises, completed for 8 repetitions each across 8 sets, with limited rest periods (10 seconds or less) between exercises and sets. Exercise selection is total-body focused, alternating between upper and lower body movements. The program aims to improve muscular conditioning and body composition in breast cancer survivors, under the guidance of Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialists (CSCS).

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Muscle Mass

    Time frame: Baseline (Prior to Program) and At Exercise Program Completion (approximately 2 months).

    Measured as total muscle mass (kg), determined via InBody 970 bioimpedance analysis and ultrasound (BodyMetrix) for muscle tissue thickness.

  2. Change in Fat Mass

    Time frame: Baseline (Prior to Program) and At Exercise Program Completion (approximately 2 months).

    Measured as total fat mass (kg), determined via InBody 970 bioimpedance analysis and ultrasound (BodyMetrix) for adipose tissue thickness.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in Blood Pressure

    Time frame: Baseline (Prior to Program), at Month 1, and At Exercise Program Completion (approximately 2 months).

    Pre-workout blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) measurements.

  2. Change in Resting Metabolic Rate

    Time frame: At Exercise Program Completion (approximately 2 months).

    Resting metabolic rate (RMR) at the completion of the exercise regimen.

  3. Change in Body Composition Metrics (Other than Muscle/Fat Mass)

    Time frame: Baseline (Prior to Program) and At Exercise Program Completion (approximately 2 months).

    Includes body mass, % fat, and % fat-free mass, measured via InBody 970 bioimpedance analysis.

  4. Change in Phase Angle

    Time frame: Baseline (Prior to Program) and At Exercise Program Completion (approximately 2 months).

    Phase angle, determined via InBody 970 bioimpedance analysis.

  5. Exercise Adherence

    Time frame: Throughout the Exercise Program (approximately 2 months).

    Defined as the number of sessions attended out of total sessions, as recorded by attendance logs.

  6. Change in Grip Strength

    Time frame: Baseline (Prior to Program), During Exercise Program (before and after each workout), and At Exercise Program Completion (approximately 2 months).

    Grip strength assessed via Jamar Hand Dynamometer bilaterally (three consecutive measures per hand).

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Clinical Trials Contact

CONTACT

[email protected]

412-330-6151

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Allegheny Singer Research Institute (also known as Allegheny Health Network Research Institute)

Other

Registry information

Official study title

EXERT-BC Cardio: Randomized Study of EXErcise Regimens After Treatment for Breast Cancer Utilizing Cardio or Conditioning Training

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2027
First posted
Jul 31, 2026
Registry last updated
Jul 31, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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