Flexible versus standard aerobic exercise during early breast cancer treatment

Flexible versus Standard Aerobic Training Dosing in Primary Breast Cancer: A Randomized and Response-Adapted Trial

NIH-funded research Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research · NIH-11400262

This trial compares a flexible, personalized aerobic exercise plan to a standard fixed exercise plan for people receiving chemotherapy for primary breast cancer to help improve heart and lung fitness.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionSloan-Kettering Inst Can Research NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project IDNIH-11400262 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

You would be randomly assigned to a flexible, a standard fixed, or a response-adapted aerobic exercise program that begins during chemotherapy and continues afterward. The flexible plan lets your exercise dose increase as you tolerate it, the fixed plan gives a set dose, and the response-adapted plan changes based on your fitness response. The team will measure cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), track adherence and any side effects, and collect other health data before, during, and after treatment. About 140 people who are currently inactive (<90 minutes/week of aerobic activity) will be enrolled at Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Adults with primary (non-metastatic) breast cancer who are starting chemotherapy, currently do less than 90 minutes per week of aerobic activity, and can attend the New York site are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People with metastatic disease, those already highly active, or those unable to exercise safely due to other medical conditions may not benefit or may be ineligible.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the flexible dosing approach could help more patients recover cardiorespiratory fitness during and after chemotherapy and reduce treatment-related symptoms.

How similar studies have performed: Prior trials have shown supervised aerobic exercise during chemotherapy can reduce fitness decline, but flexible dosing has not been tested in cancer patients.

Where this research is happening

New York, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Breast CancerBreast Cancer Patient
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.