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
Exercise and weight gain in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.
PURPOSE Weight gain is a common side effect for women receiving adjuvant chemotherapy  and may have negative long-term implication s for survival . The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of aerobic exercise on weight gain in women with breast cancer receiving adjuvant chemotherapy .  DESCRIPTION OF STUDY Seventy-eight women who had recently received a diagnosis of breast cancer and who were beginning adjuvant chemotherapy  were enrolled in a home-based exercise study during the first four cycles of chemotherapy .  Weight change , body mass index , anorexia , nausea , fatigue , caloric expenditure during exercise , and functional ability were recorded . RESULTS Women who adhered to the exercise program maintained their body weight , while nonexercisers steadily gained weight ( P < .05 ) . There were no differences in incidence or intensity of nausea or anorexia between the exercisers and nonexercisers . Women who exercised over the four cycles of chemotherapy improved their functional ability ( mean 23 % ) compared to the nonexercisers who showed significant declines in functional ability ( mean -15 % ) . CLINICAL IMPLICATION S Exercise may be an effective intervention to minimize weight gain in women with breast cancer who are receiving adjuvant chemotherapy .  Preventing weight gain in these patients may be important in preventing recurrent disease and other comorbidities associated with excess weight
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