Einfluss und Nachhaltigkeit einer langen Wanderung auf die Ausdauerleistungsfähigkeit, den oxidativen Stress, die Lebensqualität sowie das körperliche Aktivitätsniveau von Brustkrebspatientinnen in der Nachsorge

Introduction: Years after the diagnosis breast cancer survivors still suffer of problems (Montazeri, 2008; Goldstein et al., 2006). Exercise seems to reduce physical and psychological deficits (Schmitz, 2011). Especially walking is recommanded by Morris & Hardman (1997) to become active. Furthermore the heeling influence of nature may be important for cancer patients (Brämer, 2007). Methods: 45 breast cancer survivors, whose acute treatment had been completed, were watched concering components: their level of activity (Freiburger questionary to record the physical activity), body mass index, body fitness (VO2 max and VO2 max relativ), oxidative stress and quality of life (EORTC QLQ C-30 and BR-23). The intervention group (N=26, age=52,8±7,2 years, BMI=23,60  3,36 kg/m2, post diagnosis 21,9  12,4 month) conducted the training without supervision for 8 weeks before they hiked over 840 km along the Camino de Santiago in Spain for 6 weeks. This was not a group activity. The test subjects were free to choose their own speed and resting periods. In order to measure the intensity of the hike four patients were wearing an activity tracker (SenseWear®). Investigations took place at the beginning of the study (T0), after the training (T1) and after the hiking (T2). One year after the hike (T3), all tests were repeated to observe the sustainability of the effects. The control group (N=19, age=51,8  10,2 years, BMI=24,34  2,41 kg/m2, post diagnosis 31,1  16,4 month) did not receive any intervention but did the same tests at same times. Results: During the training period and the hike the activity level, both lenght (P=0,002) and metabolic rate (P=0,001) increased significantly while the body mass index decreased (P=0,033). But there were no changes in body fitness or oxidative stress. However the quality of life was signifikantly better after the hike (global health P=0,001). In comparison to the training phase it can be emphasized that there has been an improvement of the quality of life values during the hike. Long time effects of this study were a signifikantly increased activity level (lenght: P=0,001, metabolic rate: P=0,001) and a significantly better quality of life in many different aspects (global health: P=0,001). In contrast to this improvement body fitness and oxidative stress did not change. Conclusion: Hiking can help to improve the activity level and the quality of life of breast cancer survivors and therefore it seems to be adequate to their needs. Further studies must follow to evaluate the influence of nature and investigate if there is a need to regulate the intensity during the hikes. Long hikes or alternative physical activities to rehabilitate, should therefore become established in the near future and should also become subsidized by health insurances in order to sustain and increase the self-initiative and individual responsibility of breast cancer patients. Literatur: Brämer, R. (2007). Gesundheitsstudie Wandern. Daten, Fakten, Perspektiven. Marburg. Goldstein, D., Bennett, B., Friedlander, M., Davenport, T., Hickie, I., & Lloyd, A. (2006). Fatigue states after cancer treatment occur both in association with, and independent of, mood disorder: a longitudinal study. BMC cancer, 6(1), 240. Montazeri, A. (2008). Health-related quality of life in breast cancer patients: a bibliographic review of the literature from 1974 to 2007. Journal of experimental & clinical cancer research: CR, 27(1), 32.