BACKGROUND: Obesity is considered a major risk factor for breast cancer. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is a time-efficient exercise that significantly advances cardiorespiratory fitness in healthy subjects. PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of HIIT on cardiorespiratory fitness and body composition in survivors of breast cancer who are overweight and obese. METHODS: Sixty overweight and obese female breast cancer survivors, aged 40 to 60 years, 6 months after completing therapies were included in this study. The patients were randomly allocated to 2 groups: the HIIT group (n = 30; administered HIIT program 3 sessions per week for 8 successive weeks) and the control group (n = 30; received usual care measures). Cardiorespiratory fitness, measured using maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 peak), and body composition were evaluated in patients of both groups at baseline and after the intervention period. RESULTS: VO2 peak increased significantly by 3.77 mLkg/min between pre- and posttreatment (p = 0.05) in the HIIT group. Body mass indexes in both groups were similar (p > 0.05). Women in the HIIT group showed significant fat mass changes, fat mass percentage, and lean body mass (p = 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study shows that HIIT effectively improves cardiorespiratory fitness and body composition in breast cancer survivors.

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