Impact of physical exercise in cancer survivors during and after antineoplastic treatments

Abstract

Cancer patients experience symptoms and adverse effects of treatments that may last even after the end of treatments. Exercise is a safe, non-pharmacological and cost-effective therapy that can provide several health benefits in cancer patient and survivors, reducing cancer symptoms and cancer treatment side effects. The purpose of this review is to describe how the physical exercise is capable to reduce cancer symptoms and cancer treatment side effects. We realized a pragmatic classification of symptoms, dividing them into physical, psychological and psycho-physical aspects. For each symptom we discuss causes, therapies, we analyse the effects of physical exercise and we summarize the most effective type of exercise to reduce the symptoms. This review also points out what are the difficulties that patients and survivors face during the practice of physical activity and provides some solutions to overcome these barriers.Related to each specific cancer, it emerges that type, frequency and intensity of physical exercise could be prescribed and supervised as a therapeutic program, like it occurs for the type, dose and duration of a drug treatment.

Effects of Aerobic and Resistance Exercises on Physical Symptoms in Cancer Patients: A Meta-analysis

“…On the other hand, the effects of exercise on physical symptoms might differ by type of exercise. 19 Pain and insomnia have been reported to be relieved by aerobic, but not resistance exercise. 10 , 16 , 18 Fatigue is improved by both aerobic and resistance exercises.…”

“… 10 , 16 , 18 Fatigue is improved by both aerobic and resistance exercises. 13 , 14 , 19 Thus, aerobic and resistance exercises should be distinguished when the effects of exercise on cancer-related physical symptoms are examined.…”

Preventive Cardio-Oncology: The Time Has Come

“…The most frequent symptoms in cancer patients include fatigue and peripheral neuropathy. Of note, aerobic, resistance, and strength training have been shown to improve fatigue; strength and balance training also improve fatigue (88).…”

Exercise Training-Induced Changes in MicroRNAs: Beneficial Regulatory Effects in Hypertension, Type 2 Diabetes, and Obesity

“…Aerobic exercise training is able to ameliorate dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, endothelial function, and inflammatory status [ 230 ]. It is well known that exercise training exerts beneficial effects in healthy [ 231 ] and in individuals with SAH [ 232 ], T2D [ 233 ], obesity [ 234 , 235 ], cancer [ 236 ], coronary heart disease [ 237 ], and chronic heart failure [ 238 ].…”