Exercise is an important part of most people's lives, but it can be even more important for people with cancer. Regular exercise can help you feel stronger and healthier during and after treatment, which can make all the difference in your quality of life. In this article, we'll explore what exercise physiology is and how it affects cancer patients. We'll also discuss the different types of exercise that are beneficial for people diagnosed with cancer, including aerobic and resistance training. If you're looking for ways to stay strong during treatment or after your diagnosis—or if you just want some tips on how to get started working out—this article will be a great resource!
What is exercise physiology?
Exercise physiology is the study of how the body responds to exercise. It's a branch of physiology, which studies all aspects of living systems. Exercise physiologists study both healthy individuals and those who have diseases or disabilities that make it difficult for them to exercise.
How does exercise affect cancer patients?
Exercise can help you feel better.
Exercise can help you sleep better.
Exercise can help you manage your weight, which is important for people who have cancer because they are more likely to be overweight or obese than healthy adults.
It also helps people with cancer manage their stress levels and moods by reducing anxiety, depression, irritability and fatigue--all common symptoms associated with having cancer treatment or being sick with the disease itself. In addition, exercise has been shown to improve energy levels in patients undergoing chemotherapy.
What types of exercise are beneficial for patients with cancer?
The types of exercise that are beneficial for patients with cancer include aerobic, resistance and flexibility exercises. Aerobic exercise is any activity that increases your heart rate for at least 10 minutes. It can be done in many ways such as walking, jogging or swimming. Resistance training involves using weights or machines to build muscle strength and endurance while flexibility exercises help improve range of motion in joints. Stretching helps improve overall flexibility which may reduce pain caused by tight muscles due to chemotherapy treatment or radiation therapy while balancing exercises help improve balance so you don't fall while doing normal activities such as walking around the house
How much exercise do you need?
How much exercise you need depends on your age, health, and fitness level. The Ministry of Health recommends at least 2.5 hours of moderate-intensity physical activity spread throughout the week.
A person who is sedentary (little or no regular activity) should start with five minutes at a time and gradually increase to 20 minutes per day.
A person who is lightly active (light exercise one to three times per week) should aim for at least 30 minutes per day in addition to their usual routine.
An individual who has been exercising regularly should aim for at least 60 minutes per day in addition to their usual routine
It doesn't matter if it's physical activity or something else that gets you moving--the important thing is that whatever form of movement works best for YOU!
The good news is that exercise can help you feel better and stay strong during or after cancer treatment. At NextStep we are lucky enough to have some seriously good accredited exercise physiologists that are have worked with a number of people with cancer and their journey. If you or someone you know might need some help with their cancer rehab please do get in touch we would love to help!
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