Exercise Recommendation for Cancer Patients
Undoubtedly, staying in constant physical activity helps preserve cardiorespiratory functionality, joint mobility and muscle elasticity; this being the main reason why there are exercises for cancer patients.
From an oncological point of view, moderate physical activity provides a therapeutic effect that contributes to improving mood and coping with many sequelae of treatments (including fatigue, vomiting and loss of muscle mass); while keeping the body stronger to keep moving forward.
Why and when is physical activity recommended for cancer patients?
Previously, there was a belief that cancer patients recovered better from the side effects of their treatments by staying at rest, something that is completely opposite.
The rest should be sufficient but not excessive.
A sedentary lifestyle increases muscle weakness due to atrophy, which, in turn, causes tiredness, accumulation of body fat and a decrease in self-esteem and motivation.
As a result, many patients try to maintain their own exercise program, while others prefer to go to a physiotherapist or personal trainer who will provide a personalized program that adapts to their physical condition and the specific situation of their disease.
In fact, it is recommended that the exercise be done with family or friends (even better if it is done outdoors), with realistic goals, progressive progress and not too ambitious so that it is satisfactory and not frustrating.
It is common for people with cancer to experience loss of muscle mass due to cancer treatments, especially when the patient is undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
That is why physical activity should include aerobic activity, such as walking or going up and down stairs; with exercises that help work on strength to prevent muscle tissue loss.
Balance exercises, such as walking on your toes or standing with only one support, are also a great choice.
Recommended Types of Exercises Based on Your Condition
There are basically three physical qualities that we must train:
Exercises for cardiovascular or aerobic capacity. Among them are activities that generate endurance such as walking, running, cycling, swimming, dancing...
Exercises to increase muscle strength. They are those that help to improve the ability to overcome a certain resistance; such as lifting, pushing, pulling, among others.
Flexibility exercises. They allow you to achieve a joint range or range of motion of the joints.
Obviously, the best exercises for cancer patients will be those that work on these three qualities.
In reality, they are the same as any healthy person, but taking care to maintain an intensity and duration adapted to the physical condition and the state of health or stage of treatment of the patient.
Rehabilitation Exercises for Cancer Patients
After mentioning the reasons and benefits of training during the oncological process, let’s get to know the most common rehabilitation exercises for cancer patients:
Strength training with frequent work. It consists of alternating 2 days of non-consecutive work, with 48 hours of rest between each session.
Adapt multi-joint exercises. This helps improve the coordination of different muscle groups; maximizing strength gain and producing greater caloric expenditure. A circuit of 8 to 10 exercises is worked on to develop strength, applying between 12 and 15 repetitions in each of them; with a break between sets of 1 - 2 minutes.
Range of motion. It involves a complete journey with start and end. The upper and lower part, flexors and extensors should be alternated.
Muscle resentment. It consists of establishing a progressive load and a series of exercises that range from simple to compound.
Conditioning of abdominal and paravertebral muscles.
Finally, for the execution of these or other groups of exercises it is important to have some support materials such as elastic resistance bands, dumbbells or machines.
Exercises for people with breast cancer
The general recommendation after breast cancer treatment is to use the affected arm as naturally as possible; for example, to perform everyday activities, such as brushing hair, dressing or eating.
In particular, there are various exercises aimed at breast cancer patients, which you can do therapeutically:
Deep breathing: Sit in a comfortable position. Inhale gently and deeply through your nose, filling your belly with air and exhaling through your mouth until you complete 3 to 5 deep breaths.
Opening and closing the hand: Sit or stand. Gently make a fist, then open your hand. Do one or two sets, repeating slowly up to 10 times.
Grip exercise: Place a small towel in your hand. Gently squeeze the object and relax, doing one or two sets of up to 10 repetitions.
Pronation and supination of the wrist: Rotate your hand and forearm so that your palm is pointing down. Then slowly twist again until it points upwards, repeating 10 to 15 times with your elbow bent and next to your body.
Biceps exercises: Sit upright in a sturdy chair. Bend your elbow and move your forearm up (you can do the exercise with your thumb or wrist facing up), hold the position for a second or two before slowly lowering your arm. Repeat 10 to 15 times.
Exercises for the scapula: Move your shoulders in a circular motion until you achieve 10 to 15 slow repetitions, clockwise and vice versa.
Scapula: Squeeze your shoulder blades together and hold for 3 to 5 seconds. Relax and perform another 10 - 15 repetitions.
Shoulder flexion with the help of a cane: Lie on your back with your knees bent, trying to support your lower back. Hold something like a tube, broomstick, or cane in your hands, and with the help of your stronger arm, gently move your arms back until you feel a stretch. Hold this position for 5 to 10 seconds, relax, and repeat 5 to 10 more times.
Exercises for people with lung cancer
In the case of lung cancer, training and rehabilitation is mainly aimed at the global cardiorespiratory and muscular area, accompanied by respiratory physiotherapy techniques.
Some of the most frequent exercises are:
Walking, cycling, swimming, dancing or any other physical activity considered aerobic for at least 30 minutes a day.
Train the muscles of the waist using bottles of water or elastic bands; With this, it is possible to improve the breathing pattern during daily activities that involve using the arms.
Train proper breathing either lying down or sitting, taking in air through the nose (first the abdomen should be raised and towards the end the ribs), and then expelling through the mouth with the opposite effect.
Bronchial cleansing exercises help when a lot of mucus is being produced. In addition to drinking plenty of fluids, you should drink them a couple of times a day. To do this, you can use a volumetric incentivizer, which helps you train the respiratory muscles and make the rib cage more flexible.
Exercises for people with bone cancer
At the same time, if you are a patient with bone cancer, it is essential that you carry out an exercise program that includes osteogenic activities; that is, they must be a sufficient stimulus to promote the creation of new bone tissue or at least stop its loss.
In this sense, jumping and strength training can improve your bone health and prevent you from breaking a bone.
Some details about this include the following:
Strength training is essential to prevent the onset of osteoporosis in bone cancer. In addition, it improves the stability of your entire body, reducing the risk of falls.
Water activities may support other aspects of your fitness, but they won't help your bones get stronger.
The use of vibrating platforms is a good option, as long as they are used properly.
Impacts on the ground when jumping can help improve your bone health, but you should be aware that they should not be made if the cancer has affected the hip and/or knees.
Relationship between cancer and physical activity
Exercise after a diagnosis of breast, colon or prostate cancer (just to name a few), is an energy generator that can influence greater survival.
As a result of many studies, there is sufficient evidence to show the multiple benefits of physical activity, to the point that survivors of all types of cancer are advised to follow the same physical activity guidelines that are recommended for the general public.
Of course, the exercises should be tailored to the preferences and functional status of each cancer patient.
Although you may think that doctors are only focused on treating the disease and don’t have time for advice; In fact, an important part of their role is to encourage exercise among their patients as an important part of their health management.
Similarly, establishing that a physically active cancer patient may be a healthier person than someone completely healthy with sedentary habits says a lot.
That is why we invite you to get active and consult with your doctor about the considerations that you should take into account according to your condition, so that sports practice continues to be part of your life.
