Inclusion Criteria:

• Women without lymphedema must be 1-5 years post breast cancer diagnosis
• Women with lymphedema must be 1-15 years post breast cancer diagnosis

• Women with lymphedema must have stable lymphedema. ONE of the following:

  • 0-40>10% girth volume difference between the affected and non- affected limb for a non-dominant arm

  • 6-40% girth volume difference between the affected and non- affected limb for a dominant arm inter-limb discrepancy in volume or circumference at the point of greatest visible difference OR swelling or obscuration of anatomic architecture upon close inspection OR pitting edema.

    • 2 cm circumference difference
  • A prior clinical diagnosis of lymphedema and having had any prior intensive lymphedema therapy on the affected arm

As well as ALL of the following four conditions:

• Women with Lymphedema must have ALL of the following:

  • No recorded arm girth change of 15% or greater within the three months.
  • No more than one lymphedema related infection requiring antibiotics within the past 3 months.
  • Participation in all Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) without lymphedema exacerbation for the past 3 months.

Exclusion Criteria:

• For ALL participants (with and without lymphedema)

  • No medical conditions or medications that would prohibit participation in an exercise program or would negatively impact our ability to test our primary aims
  • Not morbidly obese (body mass index >50 kg/m2)
  • No plans for additional (e.g. reconstructive) surgery during the study period
  • No bilateral breast cancers (because this prohibits our ability to assess the primary outcome of interest)
  • No strength training or other upper body resistive exercise within the past year
  • Not planning to move away from the area over the next year
  • Not pregnant or lactating or planning to become pregnant during the study
  • Among women who have given birth: at least 6 months post pregnancy and at least 3 months post lactation