Cancer and Exercise: How Exercise Physiologists Can Support Recovery and Wellbeing
A cancer diagnosis can be life-altering, affecting not just physical health but also emotional and mental well-being. While traditional treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation are essential for fighting cancer, research has shown that exercise plays a crucial role in improving quality of life, reducing treatment side effects, and enhancing overall recovery.
Despite outdated myths suggesting that cancer patients should avoid physical activity, evidence-based guidelines now strongly recommend supervised exercise as part of cancer care. This is where Accredited Exercise Physiologists (AEPs) come in. These highly trained professionals design and implement safe, personalised exercise programs that help individuals with cancer regain strength, energy, and resilience.
In this blog, we’ll explore how exercise benefits cancer patients, the science behind movement and recovery, and how an Exercise Physiologist can guide you through a structured, effective, and safe exercise journey.
How Exercise Helps During and After Cancer Treatment
Research has confirmed that exercise is safe and beneficial before, during, and after cancer treatment. In fact, the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA) and other global cancer research bodies recommend exercise as part of standard cancer care (Cormie et al., 2018).
Key Benefits of Exercise for Cancer Patients
✔ Reduces Cancer-Related Fatigue
One of the most common and debilitating side effects of cancer treatment is extreme fatigue.
Exercise helps improve energy levels and reduces exhaustion by enhancing cardiovascular fitness and muscle endurance.
✔ Preserves and Rebuilds Muscle Strength
Chemotherapy and radiation can lead to muscle loss (cachexia) and reduced strength.
Resistance training helps maintain muscle mass and functional strength, preventing long-term disability.
✔ Improves Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing
Many cancer patients experience depression, anxiety, and stress.
Exercise releases endorphins, reduces inflammation in the brain, and improves overall mood and cognitive function.
✔ Enhances Immune Function and Reduces Inflammation
Regular physical activity boosts immune system response, helping the body tolerate treatment better.
Exercise also reduces chronic inflammation, which is linked to cancer progression.
✔ Manages Treatment Side Effects
Exercise can help reduce side effects like nausea, neuropathy (nerve pain), joint stiffness, and swelling (lymphedema).
Movement-based therapy can prevent and improve lymphatic drainage for individuals experiencing lymphedema after cancer surgery.
✔ Reduces the Risk of Cancer Recurrence
Emerging studies suggest that regular physical activity lowers the risk of cancer recurrence and improves survival rates, particularly in breast, colon, and prostate cancer survivors (McTiernan et al., 2019).
✔ Promotes Bone Health
Certain cancers and treatments can lead to osteoporosis and increased fracture risk.
Weight-bearing exercises like those in the Onero™ Program help maintain bone density and reduce fracture risk.
What Does the Science Say?
📊 Research Findings on Exercise and Cancer:
✅ A study in JAMA Oncology found that cancer patients who engaged in structured exercise experienced 40-50% less fatigue than those who remained inactive.
✅ A meta-analysis in The Lancet showed that regular exercise improved survival rates in breast and colon cancer patients by up to 35%.
✅ The American College of Sports Medicine recommends 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise and 2 strength sessions per week for cancer patients (Schmitz et al., 2019).
How Exercise Physiologists Support Cancer Patients
An Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) is an allied health professional trained to design safe, evidence-based exercise programs for people living with chronic conditions—including cancer. Unlike personal trainers, Exercise Physiologists understand cancer treatments, side effects, and contraindications, ensuring that movement is safe, appropriate, and effective.
What an Exercise Physiologist Does for Cancer Patients
💪 1. Tailored Exercise Programs
Not all exercises are suitable for cancer patients. An AEP assesses your fitness level, treatment stage, and medical history before creating a program tailored to your needs.
Exercises can include aerobic training, resistance exercises, flexibility work, and balance training.
🏋️ 2. Strength Training to Maintain Muscle Mass
Chemotherapy can cause significant muscle loss—an AEP designs resistance-based programs to maintain or rebuild strength.
Progressive strength exercises ensure safe recovery without excessive fatigue.
🩺 3. Managing Cancer-Related Fatigue
If fatigue is overwhelming, an AEP will guide gentle, low-intensity movement strategies to improve energy levels.
Gradual progression ensures that movement doesn’t worsen exhaustion but instead builds stamina over time.
🦴 4. Bone Health and Osteoporosis Prevention
Some cancer treatments cause bone density loss, increasing the risk of fractures.
Programs like Onero™ (high-intensity resistance training for bone health) are tailored for cancer survivors to rebuild bone strength safely.
⚖ 5. Balance and Falls Prevention
Many cancer patients experience weakness, neuropathy, or dizziness, increasing their risk of falls.
An AEP includes balance training and functional exercises to improve coordination and stability.
💆 6. Mental Health and Stress Reduction
Exercise is a powerful stress reliever and mood booster.
An AEP can guide mindful movement, gentle stretching, and breathwork to support emotional well-being.
🚶 7. Long-Term Wellness and Survivorship
After treatment, an AEP helps transition from recovery to long-term health management.
Cancer survivors can benefit from continued strength training, aerobic fitness, and mobility exercises to reduce the risk of recurrence.
What Type of Exercise is Best for Cancer Patients?
An Exercise Physiologist will customise a program based on your type of cancer, treatment plan, and individual abilities. Here’s a breakdown of what may be included:
🏃 Aerobic Exercise – Walking, cycling, swimming for cardiovascular health and fatigue management.
🏋️ Resistance Training – Strength training to maintain muscle and bone density.
🧘 Flexibility & Mobility Work – Yoga, stretching to reduce stiffness and improve range of motion.
⚖ Balance Training – Stability exercises to reduce falls and improve coordination.
Is Exercise Safe During Chemotherapy and Radiation?
Yes! Research confirms that supervised exercise is safe and beneficial during treatment. However, intensity and volume must be adjusted based on symptoms, energy levels, and medical guidance.
🔹 When to Modify Exercise:
If experiencing severe fatigue, nausea, or dizziness, an AEP will adjust your routine accordingly.
Avoid public gyms during chemotherapy-induced immune suppression to reduce infection risk.
If you have lymphedema, an AEP will provide specialised exercises to manage swelling safely.
Start Your Cancer Exercise Program at Rebound Health
At Rebound Health, our Accredited Exercise Physiologists are trained in cancer-specific exercise prescription. Whether you are undergoing treatment, in remission, or looking to rebuild strength after cancer, we provide safe, personalised exercise programs tailored to your needs.