Physical activity alleviates side effects of radiation therapy – healing practice

Aerobics and strength training in cancer treatment

the radiotherapy is an important part of breast cancer treatment, but it can lead to increased tiredness and tiredness. However, exercise and physical activity at home can significantly reduce these effects and significantly improve health-related quality of life.

In a recent study involving experts from Edith Cowan University was examined whether resistance and endurance training at home the so-called cancer-related fatigue syndrome after radiotherapy for breast cancer. The results were published in the journal “Breast cancer“published.

Women did bodybuilding and aerobics

The total was 89 women included in the study. Among these 43 completed a home exercise program, which lasted twelve weeks. The training program consisted of one to two units of resistance training per week and a total of 30 to 40 minutes of aerobics, the researchers report.

Participants who did not complete the training program served as a control group.

Better recovery after radiotherapy

According to the team, exercise has been found to help women feel better during and after radiation therapy Recover faster from cancer-related fatiguecompared to the control group.

Moreover, the health-related quality of life clearly of the participants when they practiced sporting activities. And the experts could no negative effects of physical activity.

Benefits of exercising at home

Exercising at home has several benefits, it is inexpensive, does not require personal attention and can go from sick to a time and place of choice carried out, explains the author of the study Professor Rob Newton.

“The amount of exercise should be gradually increased with the goal that participants meet national guidelines for the recommended level of physical activity.‘ explains the author of the study Dr Georgios Mavropalias in a Press release.

Current Australian guidelines, to which the expert refers, advise people with cancer to have a moderate-intensity aerobic exercise for 30 minutes a day, five days a week.

Alternatively, you can strenuous aerobic exercise for 20 minutes a day, three days a week. Additionally, the guidelines advise doing eight to ten exercises two to three days a week. bodybuilding occur where 8 to 12 repetitions per exercise should be done.

Even minimal exercise reduces cancer-related fatigue

“We found that even an exercise dose significantly lower than that recommended by national guidelines can have a significant impact on cancer-related fatigue and health-related quality of life during and after radiotherapy.“, highlighted Doctor Mavropalias.

Motivation for physical exercise lasts longer

The study also showed that most people who started a sports training program continued to do so for a longer period of time.

This is what the women in the physical activity group reported about significant improvements with light, moderate and vigorous physical activity up to twelve months after completing the supervised training program.

according to the doctor According to Mavropalias, the training program seems to have lastingly modified the behavior of the participants vis-à-vis physical activity. Such a training program could not only health-related quality of life improve during radiotherapy, but also to long term changes contribute to physical activity that continues even after the program. (as)