There is evidence that exercise , such as low intensity aerobics walking , Tai Chi , or cycling , results in an overall decrease in fatigue levels over the course of cancer treatment .
Additionally , there is evidence that regular physical activity or exercise can decrease emotional stress , blood pressure , the duration of neutropenia , thrombocytopenia , and pain .
Exercise also has been shown to increase quality of life and improve the maximal oxygen uptake during exertion , sleep patterns , and cognition .
Disease and cancer treatment-related side effects such as decreased energy level , muscle weakness , and declines in functional status and body mass have been well documented .
However , the majority of studies of exercise and cancer have been conducted with women with early stage breast cancer , limiting the generalizability of these studies to other cancer population s. The purpose of this systematic review is to provide a synthesis of the extant research evidence about th e benefits of exercise related to cancer recovery
A randomized two-year study of the effects of dynamic strength training on muscle strength, disease activity, functional capacity, and bone mineral density in early rheumatoid arthritis.
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the impact of a 2-year program of strength training on muscle strength , bone mineral density ( BMD ) , physical function , joint damage , and disease activity in patients with recent-onset ( < 2 years ) rheumatoid arthritis ( RA ) . METHODS In this prospect i ve trial , 70 RA patients were r and omly assigned to perform either strength training ( all major muscle groups of the lower and upper extremities and trunk , with loads of 50 - 70 % of repetition maximum ) or range of motion exercises ( without resistance ) twice a week ; all were encouraged to engage in recreational activities 2 - 3 times a week . All patients completed training diaries  ( evaluated bi-monthly ) and were examined at 6-month intervals . All were treated with medications to achieve disease remission . Maximum strength of the knee extensors , trunk flexors and extensors , and grip strength was measured with dynamometers . BMD was measured at the femoral neck and lumbar spine by dual x-ray densitometry . Disease activity was determined by the Disease Activity Score , the extent of joint damage by the Larsen score , and functional capacity by the Health Assessment Question naire ( HAQ ) ; walking speed was also measured . RESULTS Sixty-two patients ( 31 per group ) completed the study .  Strength training  compliance averaged 1.4 - 1.5 times/week . The maximum strength of all muscle groups examined increased significantly ( 19 - 59 % ) in the strength-training group , with statistically significant improvements in clinical disease activity parameters , HAQ scores , and walking speed . While muscle strength , disease activity parameters , and physical function also improved significantly in the control group , the changes were not as great as those in the strength-training group . BMD in the femoral neck and spine increased by a mean + /- SD of 0.51 + /- 1.64 % and by 1.17 + /- 5.34 % , respectively , in the strength-training group , but decreased by 0.70 + /- 2.25 % and 0.91 + /- 4.07 % in the controls . Femoral neck BMD in the 17 patients with high initial disease activity ( and subsequent use of oral glucocorticoids ) remained constantly at a statistically significantly lower level than that in the other 45 patients . CONCLUSION Regular dynamic strength training combined with endurance-type physical activities improves muscle strength and physical function , but not BMD , in patients with early RA , without detrimental effects on disease activity
There is evidence that exercise , such as low intensity aerobics walking , Tai Chi , or cycling , results in an overall decrease in fatigue levels over the course of cancer treatment .
Additionally , there is evidence that regular physical activity or exercise can decrease emotional stress , blood pressure , the duration of neutropenia , thrombocytopenia , and pain .
Exercise also has been shown to increase quality of life and improve the maximal oxygen uptake during exertion , sleep patterns , and cognition .
Disease and cancer treatment-related side effects such as decreased energy level , muscle weakness , and declines in functional status and body mass have been well documented .
However , the majority of studies of exercise and cancer have been conducted with women with early stage breast cancer , limiting the generalizability of these studies to other cancer population s. The purpose of this systematic review is to provide a synthesis of the extant research evidence about th e benefits of exercise related to cancer recovery