The Benefits of Exercise During Chemotherapy Treatment: Boosting Longevity and Recovery.

Introduction 

Are you undergoing chemotherapy and wondering how exercise can help you manage your treatment? Exercise could be the key to increasing your longevity and enhancing your recovery process. In this blog, we’ll explore the significant benefits of incorporating exercise into your chemotherapy routine and how it can contribute to a better, longer life.

What is chemotherapy, and how does it affect the body?

Chemotherapy is a common treatment for cancer, aiming to destroy cancer cells and prevent the growth of tumours. However, while it targets cancer cells, chemotherapy can take a toll on the body, leading to side effects such as fatigue, muscle weakness, and decreased endurance. It can affect your overall mobility and quality of life, leaving many people feeling less energetic and more vulnerable to other health issues, including osteoporosis i.e. weak bones. 

Some common side effects of chemotherapy include:

• Fatigue: a great sense of tiredness that doesn’t go away with rest. 
• Muscle Weakness: a result of reduced muscle strength and muscle mass, making even simple tasks harder to perform. 
• Weight Loss: chemotherapy treatment can cause significant weight loss. 
• Bone Density Loss: chemotherapy can increase the risk of fractures and joint issues.

If you’ve been struggling with these effects during your treatment, keep reading to learn how incorporating exercise into your routine can help you feel stronger and improve your longevity through the recovery process.

Benefits of exercise during chemotherapy

Exercise can play a pivotal role in managing the side effects of chemotherapy, helping patients maintain strength, reduce muscle loss, and increase their quality of life. Here’s how exercise can make a significant difference:

• Improves Muscle Strength and Endurance: Engaging in moderate-intensity exercise helps to rebuild muscle strength that may have been diminished by chemotherapy. This contributes to improved overall mobility and day-to-day functionality.
• Reduces Muscle Loss: lifting weights during chemotherapy treatment can help reduce muscle loss.
• Increases Bone Health: Weight-bearing exercises can reduce the bone density loss caused by chemotherapy, reducing the risk of fractures and improving bone health.

Incorporating a structured exercise program into your chemotherapy treatment is key to improving both your short-term and long-term health. By maintaining an active lifestyle, you are contributing to your overall longevity and well-being.

How Longevity Can Help You During Chemotherapy  

Longevity can help you safely and effectively incorporate exercise into your chemotherapy routine. Our expert team tailors exercise plans to your specific needs, ensuring you get the most benefit without overexerting yourself.

Here’s how we can help:

• Individualised Exercise Programs: We design exercise routines specifically for you, focusing on strength, fitness, and mobility.
• Supervised Sessions: We offer one-on-one sessions to ensure you’re doing the right exercises at the right intensity to maximise your recovery.
• Variety of Options: Whether you prefer working out in the gym, outdoors, or from the comfort of your home via telehealth, we’ve got you covered.
• Holistic Support: Our team offers continuous guidance and encouragement, helping you to maintain motivation throughout your treatment process.

By working with Longevity, you’re not just getting an exercise program. You’re gaining a dedicated partner in your journey toward better health and recovery. Here is what one of our clients had to say about exercising following chemotherapy: 

“I don’t think I have to give up golf because of the exercise.”

Additional Tips for Managing Your Health During Chemotherapy  

In addition to exercise, here are some tips to help manage your health during chemotherapy:

• Prioritise Rest: Although exercise is important, so is rest. Listen to your body and allow time for recovery between workouts.
• Mental Health: Chemotherapy can be a very challenging treatment. Take care of your mental health and seek support from a mental health professional if you need it. 

Exercising during chemotherapy can make a significant impact on your health and help you remain strong, protect your bone health and improve your mood.  Muscle loss and fatigue are common symptoms following cancer treatment and can be improved through exercise.

Ready to take the first step toward increasing your fitness and lifespan? Call Longevity Exercise Physiology Ascot Vale, Burwood, Casey, Castle Hill, Coburg, Drummoyne, Edgecliff, Five Dock, Gladesville, Gungahlin, Kingsgrove, Liverpool, Macarthur Campbelltown, Macarthur Tindall, Marrickville, Neutral Bay, Penrith, Pymble, Pyrmont, Randwick, Rhodes, Rosebery, Springfield, Yamanto today on 1300 964 002 to book your personalised session or a 15-minute free phone consultation.

Written by Omar Barbar