Gut Microbe Composition, Exercise, and Breast Breast Cancer Survivors

Each session will last 20 to 60 minutes depending on the stage of progression (shorter duration in the first few weeks). Sessions will occur on nonconsecutive days of the week. Moderate-intensity, continuous aerobic exercise will be used to target large muscle groups (e.g., legs) with the principal goal of increasing cardiorespiratory fitness. Exercise intensity will be gradually increased. To mitigate stagnation and support continued improvement of cardiorespiratory fitness, high-intensity interval exercise will be added in later weeks of the intervention.

The flexibility/toning control condition will be delivered using the same frequency as the aerobic condition (i.e., 3 times per week) and use light resistance bands of least difficulty. The flexibility/toning sessions will last about 40 minutes, be led by trained exercise specialists. Flexibility/toning activities will target the head/neck, shoulder, elbow/forearm, hand/wrist, trunk/hip, and ankle/foot. The progression of activities over the 10-week period will involve performing additional exercises and sets along with using progressively thicker elastic resistance bands (i.e., Thera-bands) that provide minimal resistance.