Aim 1: Determine the feasibility and acceptability of an 8-week high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program compared with a standard moderate-intensity aerobic training (MOD) program in 45 breast cancer survivors prescribed aromatase inhibitors.~Aim 2: Calculate effect sizes associated with the 8-week HIIT program, compared with MOD and Usual Care (UC), on cognitive and cardiovascular functions in 45 breast cancer survivors.~Eligible individuals will be women diagnosed with Stages I-IIIa breast cancer, have completed primary treatment (i.e., surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation therapy), and currently prescribed an aromatase inhibitor. The specific aims are: 1) Determine the feasibility and acceptability of an 8-week high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program compared with a standard moderate-intensity (MOD) program; and 2) Calculate effect sizes associated with the 8-week HIIT program, compared with MOD and usual care (UC), on cognitive and cardiovascular functions. Cognitive function is operationalized as performance on executive function and working memory tasks. Cardiovascular function is operationalized as exercise capacity (VO2peak, heart rate recovery), resting function (heart rate, blood pressure), and cardiovascular structure/function (arterial stiffness, arterial wall thickness, endothelial function). Associations between change in cardiovascular outcomes and change in cognitive outcomes across the intervention period will also be explored.
This pilot study tests the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of an 8-week, 3-arm pilot exercise trial in which 45 breast cancer survivors will be randomized to high-intensity interval training (HIIT; n=15), moderate-intensity aerobic training (MOD; n=15), or Usual Care (UC; n=15).