Cancer recovery and post-treatment health improve with physical activity
If you’ve lived with cancer, you know it zaps your energy. It’s easy to hit the couch and stay there. But you do so at the peril of your health and well-being. Get up and get moving to keep moving beyond cancer!
It’s official: a study published on bmj.com (the website of the British Medical Journal) proves that after major cancer treatment is complete, physical activity can – and does – improve a person’s health and quality of life.
University of Hong Kong researchers analyzed the data and results from 34 trials designed to measure the effects of physical activity among adult cancer patients.
Each study involved about 93 individuals of an average age of 55 who had been treated for either breast, prostate, gynecologic, colorectal, gastric or lung cancer.
Study participants had partaken in aerobic, resistance and strength training for just over three months.
Here’s what the researchers learned from these studies:
- Breast cancer patients lost weight and lowered BMI (body mass index); improved leg strength; had better blood sugar control, more energy and less depression, along with overall improved quality of life.
- People living with other cancers experienced similar results, with physical function improvements in such areas as breathing and handgrip strength.
Types of exercise made a difference. Women living in the aftermath of breast cancer found that a combination of aerobic and resistance exercises was much better for physical and emotional fitness, as well as overall well-being than was aerobic activity alone.
These findings come as no surprise to fitness expert, Jim Crowell.
“In my experience, I have seen exercise contribute a huge number of positive outcomes to the vast majority of people who have tried it. I have seen strength and aerobic exercise training help many sick people recover faster, feel more energetic, and live more quality lives,” said Crowell, owner and head trainer of Integrated Fitness in Pittsburgh.
“The body responds very well to a well managed fitness regiment, and I absolutely believe that this holds true for those who have gone through disease,” Crowell told dailyRx.
This study was supported by the World Cancer Research Fund International, World Cancer Research Fund UK, and World Cancer Research Fund Hong Kong.
None of the authors disclosed any conflicts of interest.
Jim is the owner and head trainer at Integrated Fitness, a high-level sport specific training and CrossFit facility located in Pittsburgh. Jim trains all levels of athletes from children to professional athletes, and everywhere in between. In addition to coaching, Jim is a co-creator of the Mental Mastery Program which works with up and coming athletes to hone their mental and emotional toughness both on and off of the field. Jim graduated from Penn State University in 2005 with a BS in Finance and a BS in Economics.
January 31, 2012
BMJ-British Medical Journal, “Exercise can improve the health and wellbeing of cancer patients” 1-800-TKO-Cancer EurekAlert, “Physical activity for cancer survivors: meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials”