Effects of ladder-climbing exercise on mammary cancer: data from a chemically induced rat model.

• Author(s): Silva, J ; Azevedo, T ; Faustino-Rocha, AI ; Oliveira, PA ; Duarte, JA
• Date: 2025
• Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/10174/39142
• Origin: Repositório Científico da Universidade de Évora
• Document Type: Journal article
• Language: English

Description

Breast cancer is a major health concern for both humans and companion animals, particularly female dogs and cats. This study explores whether resistance training can influence the development of mammary cancer in female rats. The rats were divided into four groups, including those that exercised by climbing a ladder with increasing weight three times a week for 18 weeks. At the end of the study, tumor development, inflammation, and overall health were assessed. While tumors appeared slightly earlier and in more animals that exercised, these tumors were less aggressive, and the mortality rate was lower. Importantly, no signs of harmful systemic inflammation were found. Exercise is known to support health by improving fitness, strengthening immunity, and enhancing metabolism. These findings suggest that resistance training may have potential benefits in managing mammary cancer in pets. However, more research is needed to confirm how exercise can be safely and effectively used in veterinary medicine.