Work

Wearable-Based Assessment of Cardiac Recovery After a Modified Bruce Test in Women with Breast Cancer: Role of Physical Activity and Treatment Duration

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Heart rate recovery (HRR) is an important indicator of cardiovascular autonomic function, yet evidence in women with breast cancer remains limited. This study aimed to analyze heart rate recovery during the first two minutes following a maximal exercise test and to examine its association with age, weekly physical activity, and oncological treatment duration using wearable technology. A cross-sectional design was applied in 22 women with breast cancer enrolled in an oncological exercise program. Participants performed a maximal treadmill test using the Modified Bruce Protocol, after which the mean heart rate was recorded across eight 15 s recovery intervals using a wearable chest-strap heart rate sensor integrated with an inertial device (WIMU PRO). Results showed a progressive and significant decrease in heart rate during recovery, with the first statistically significant pairwise difference emerging at 45–60 s post-exercise compared to the initial recovery interval (p < 0.05), within the context of a continuous HR decline. Regression analysis identified weekly physical activity hours (β = −0.281, p = 0.013) and oncological treatment duration (β = −0.245, p = 0.038) as significant predictors of mean heart rate recovery, explaining 4.8% of the variance, while age was not significantly associated (β = 0.049, p = 0.622). In conclusion, a differentiated recovery pattern emerged at approximately 45–60 s post-exercise, with weekly physical activity and oncological treatment duration as determinants. These findings support the use of wearable-based monitoring to inform individualized exercise prescription in women with breast cancer.

Source: Sensors

DOI: 10.3390/s26061996

Authors: Carlos Navarro-Martínez, Natalia Ferrer-Artero, Keven Santamaria-Guzman, José Pino-Ortega

Institutions: Universidad de Murcia, Auburn University

Language: English

Topic: Cardiovascular and exercise physiology

Subfield: Complementary and alternative medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137