Recent Findings in Physical Exercise for Cancer Survivors

Phys Ther Res. 2023;26(1):10-16. doi: 10.1298/ptr.R0023. Epub 2023 Mar 22.

Abstract

In recent years, the number of cancer survivors has been increasing each year due to advances in the early diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Cancer survivors present a variety of physical and psychological complications due to cancer and its treatment. Physical exercise is an effective nonpharmacological treatment for complications in cancer survivors. Furthermore, recent evidence has shown that physical exercise improves the prognosis of cancer survivors. The benefits of physical exercise have been widely reported, and guidelines for physical exercise for cancer survivors have been published. These guidelines recommend that cancer survivors engage in moderate- or vigorous-intensity aerobic exercises and/or resistance training. However, many cancer survivors have a poor commitment to physical exercise. In the future, it is necessary to promote physical exercise among cancer survivors through outpatient rehabilitation and community support.

Keywords: Cancer survivor; Complication; Physical exercise; Prognosis.

Publication types

  • Review