Evidence-Based
Exercise Physiology
in Australian Cancer Care
Introduction
Introduction: Exercise Physiology plays a critical role in oncology care across the full cancer care continuum, providing evidence-based interventions to improve physical and psychological well-being. The Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA) and Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA) strongly advocate for the integration of exercise into standard cancer treatment. Research demonstrates that exercise mitigates treatment side effects, enhances treatment efficacy, and improves long-term health outcomes.
Pre-Treatment Phase
Objective: Enhance physical resilience and optimize treatment readiness.
Benefits:
-
Improves cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, and endurance, which may enhance treatment tolerance.
-
Reduces pre-existing comorbidities such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, improving overall prognosis.
-
Supports psychological well-being by reducing pre-treatment anxiety and stress.
Research Support: Studies indicate that prehabilitation programs incorporating structured exercise lead to better surgical and treatment outcomes, reducing post-operative complications.
During Treatment Phase
Objective: Maintain function, reduce treatment-related side effects, and enhance quality of life.
Benefits:
-
Reduces cancer-related fatigue, the most common and debilitating side effect of treatment.
-
Preserves muscle mass and prevents declines in functional capacity.
-
Decreases treatment-induced cardiovascular and metabolic complications.
-
Enhances immune function and mental health, reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Research Support: COSA and ESSA guidelines emphasize that exercise during treatment is safe and beneficial, with strong evidence supporting its role in mitigating chemotherapy and radiation side effects.
Post Treatment Phase
Objective: Aid in recovery, restore function, and prevent recurrence.
Benefits:
-
Improves bone density, reducing the risk of osteoporosis associated with hormone therapy.
-
Reduces the likelihood of cancer recurrence by managing body weight and improving metabolic health.
-
Enhances cardiovascular fitness and reduces long-term treatment complications.
-
Supports return to work, daily activities, and long-term physical independence.
Research Support: Long-term studies suggest that physically active cancer survivors have a significantly lower risk of recurrence and mortality compared to inactive individuals.
Living with Advanced Cancer
Objective: Enhance quality of life, manage symptoms, and improve functional independence.
Benefits:
-
Alleviates pain, fatigue, and neuropathy associated with advanced disease and palliative care.
-
Supports psychological resilience, reducing feelings of depression and helplessness.
-
Maintains mobility and function, supporting independence and daily living activities.
-
Improves sleep quality and reduces cancer-related cachexia (muscle wasting).
Research Support: Emerging evidence supports the role of individualized, supervised exercise programs in improving physical function and well-being in patients with advanced cancer.
Conclusion
Exercise Physiology is an essential component of comprehensive cancer care. Accredited Exercise Physiologists (AEPs) provide safe, individualized programs that significantly enhance patient outcomes across all stages of cancer treatment. Recognized by leading oncology organisations such as COSA and ESSA, exercise interventions should be considered a standard component of cancer care in Australia.
For more information, visit:
-
Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA): www.essa.org.au
-
Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA): www.cosa.org.au
Introduction
Introduction: Exercise Physiology plays a critical role in oncology care across the full cancer care continuum, providing evidence-based interventions to improve physical and psychological well-being. The Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA) and Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA) strongly advocate for the integration of exercise into standard cancer treatment. Research demonstrates that exercise mitigates treatment side effects, enhances treatment efficacy, and improves long-term health outcomes.
Pre - Treatment Phase
Objective: Enhance physical resilience and optimize treatment readiness.
Benefits:
-
Improves cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, and endurance, which may enhance treatment tolerance.
-
Reduces pre-existing comorbidities such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, improving overall prognosis.
-
Supports psychological well-being by reducing pre-treatment anxiety and stress.
Research Support: Studies indicate that prehabilitation programs incorporating structured exercise lead to better surgical and treatment outcomes, reducing post-operative complications.
Introduction: Exercise Physiology plays a critical role in oncology care across the full cancer care continuum, providing evidence-based interventions to improve physical and psychological well-being. The Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA) and Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA) strongly advocate for the integration of exercise into standard cancer treatment. Research demonstrates that exercise mitigates treatment side effects, enhances treatment efficacy, and improves long-term health outcomes.
During Treatment Phase
Objective: Maintain function, reduce treatment-related side effects, and enhance quality of life.
Benefits:
-
Reduces cancer-related fatigue, the most common and debilitating side effect of treatment.
-
Preserves muscle mass and prevents declines in functional capacity.
-
Decreases treatment-induced cardiovascular and metabolic complications.
-
Enhances immune function and mental health, reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Research Support: COSA and ESSA guidelines emphasize that exercise during treatment is safe and beneficial, with strong evidence supporting its role in mitigating chemotherapy and radiation side effects.
Post-Treatment Phase
Objective: Aid in recovery, restore function, and prevent recurrence.
Benefits:
-
Improves bone density, reducing the risk of osteoporosis associated with hormone therapy.
-
Reduces the likelihood of cancer recurrence by managing body weight and improving metabolic health.
-
Enhances cardiovascular fitness and reduces long-term treatment complications.
-
Supports return to work, daily activities, and long-term physical independence.
Research Support: Long-term studies suggest that physically active cancer survivors have a significantly lower risk of recurrence and mortality compared to inactive individuals.
Living with Advanced Cancer
Objective: Enhance quality of life, manage symptoms, and improve functional independence.
Benefits:
-
Alleviates pain, fatigue, and neuropathy associated with advanced disease and palliative care.
-
Supports psychological resilience, reducing feelings of depression and helplessness.
-
Maintains mobility and function, supporting independence and daily living activities.
-
Improves sleep quality and reduces cancer-related cachexia (muscle wasting).
Research Support: Emerging evidence supports the role of individualized, supervised exercise programs in improving physical function and well-being in patients with advanced cancer.
Conclusion
Exercise Physiology is an essential component of comprehensive cancer care. Accredited Exercise Physiologists (AEPs) provide safe, individualized programs that significantly enhance patient outcomes across all stages of cancer treatment. Recognized by leading oncology organizations such as COSA and ESSA, exercise interventions should be considered a standard component of cancer care in Australia.
For more information, visit:
-
Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA): www.essa.org.au
-
Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA): www.cosa.org.au