Development of an exercise intervention for the prevention of musculoskeletal shoulder problems after breast cancer treatment: the prevention of shoulder problems trial (UK PROSPER)

Table 2 PROSPER exercise prescription

Exercise type/category		Exercise	Frequency	Sets	Repetitions	Hold	Initial load	Progression
From 7 days after surgery
Warm-up		Posture check	Twice Daily	1	5	5 s	–	–
		Shoulder circles				n/a
		Trunk Twists (1–4)				3 s
Range of Movement	Daily Stretch	Daily stretch & hold	Daily	1 × 10 mins OR 2 × 5 mins
	Forward	Clasp hand raise OR	Twice Daily	1	5	3 s	–	Step 1: increase up to 10 repetitions Step 2: if applicable, progress to next level of difficulty for the exercise
	Forward	Forward wall slide
	Side	Morning stretch OR
	Side	Sideways wall slide
	Open Chest	Back broom lift OR
	Open Chest	Surrender
From 4 weeks after surgery
Strength	Forward	Forward Band Lift	2–3 times every week	1	10 (minimum 8 repetitions; maximum 12 repetitions)	3 s	Selected so that 2 repetitions are rated between 5 and 6 on modified BORG scale	Step 1: maintain 5–6 rating on BORG scale through increasing load (from tan to red to blue theraband tubing). Step 2: Build up to 3 sets with 1–3 min between sets.
	Forward	Rocker (advanced only)
	Side	Sideways Band Stretch OR
	Side	Wood Chopper
	Open Chest	Over Head Band Stretch OR
		Front Band Stretch OR
		Low Band Row
Physical Activity	From day 1	Gentle	Daily	3	10 min	–	–	Build up to 30 mins continuous
	From 4 weeks	Moderate	5 times every week	–	30 min			No restrictions after 12 weeks.
	From 12 weeks	Moderate to Hard	5 times every week	–	30 min			No restrictions after 12 weeks.

ISSN: 1472-6963