Author(s): HRIC, I., NECHALOVÁ, L., ŠIMIAKOVÁ, M., UGRAYOVÁ, S., KELCÍKOVÁ, S., GRENDÁR, M., PENESOVÁ, A., BIELIK V., Institution: COMENIUS UNIVERSITY IN BRATISLAVA, FACULTY OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORTS, Country: SLOVAKIA, Abstract-ID: 1344

INTRODUCTION:
Although survival rates among breast cancer patients continue to improve, many survivors experience post-treatment weight gain, reduced physical fitness, and impaired quality of life. Exercise-based interventions may counteract these adverse effects and may also influence gut microbiota composition, yet evidence in cancer survivors remains scarce. This study investigated the effects of a 3-month dance-based exercise intervention on cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition, gut microbiota, and quality of life in obese breast cancer survivors.
METHODS:
In this controlled trial, obese breast cancer survivors were allocated to a dance intervention group (n = 13) or a non-exercising control group (n = 10). The intervention consisted of supervised dance training over 3 months. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed using an incremental bicycle ergometer test, body composition was evaluated using standard anthropometric methods, gut microbiota composition was analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing, and quality of life was assessed using the EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23 questionnaires.
RESULTS:
The intervention group showed significant improvements in body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness compared with controls. Beta diversity at the phylum level, assessed using PERMANOVA between post-intervention measurements in both groups, approached significance (p = 0.047). The gut microbiota composition in the intervention group demonstrated a significant increase in acetate/propionate-producing taxa, including Bacteroides and Bifidobacterium, together with a significant decrease in the opportunistic pathogen Klebsiella oxytoca. Importantly, questionnaire data indicated statistically and clinically significant improvements across several validated domains of quality of life following the dance program.
CONCLUSION:
A 3-month dance-based exercise program led to meaningful improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition, and quality of life, alongside modest exercise-associated changes in gut microbiota, in obese breast cancer survivors. These findings highlight dance as an effective and accessible form of physical activity that may support functional capacity, well-being, and overall recovery after cancer treatment.
Funding: This work was supported by the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic [APVV-22–0047], [APVV booster 09I03-03-V06-00062], and [VEGA 1/0313/25].