When we think about treating cancer, we don’t usually think about exercising. After all, fatigue is one of the side effects of the disease and its standard treatment methods. Patients are often advised to avoid taxing themselves, so exercise seems off-limits. But in truth, even low-impact, mild physical activity can significantly impact recovery!

Now, let’s be clear:

No cancer patient, regardless of age, should attempt an exercise program without consulting their care team first. We want to be sure that any physical activity is done safely. With that said, these are some ways kids with cancer can benefit from exercise!

10 Benefits of Exercise for Pediatric Cancer Patients

Benefit #1 – Improves Physical Strength and Endurance

Chemotherapy and radiation often lead to muscle weakness and fatigue. Exercise helps children maintain or rebuild muscle strength and endurance, making it easier to perform daily activities. Kids often struggle with being unable to do everything they’re used to – regular exercise helps maintain ability and stamina.

Benefit #2 – Reduces Cancer-Related Fatigue

Cancer-related fatigue is no joke. It’s one of the hardest things to contend with. Studies have shown that exercise can help reduce this fatigue by increasing energy levels. Plus, exercise can also lead to better sleep, which boosts recovery.

Benefit #3 – Supports Mental and Emotional Well-Being

Physical activity releases endorphins, the body’s natural mood boosters. Exercise can reduce the troubling symptoms of anxiety and depression, which are all too familiar in children along their cancer journey. Cancer can also steal a child’s sense of bodily autonomy. Exercise can help children regain a sense of control over their bodies. With that comes renewed self-esteem and confidence.

Benefit #4 – Maintains Healthy Weight

Some cancer treatments may cause weight gain due to steroids or metabolic changes. Exercise helps offset these issues by promoting a healthy weight. Physical activity can stimulate appetite, too, so it may help children who lose their desire to eat as a side effect.

Benefit #5 – Enhances Bone Health

Treatments like chemotherapy and steroids can weaken bones (osteopenia or osteoporosis). Weight-bearing exercises, such as walking or light resistance training, help maintain bone density and reduce the risk of fractures. Increased muscle mass helps protect bones!

Benefit #6 – Boosts Immune Function

Moderate exercise improves immune function, critical for pediatric cancer patients with compromised immune systems due to treatment. Infections are significant complications for cancer patients, so any way to bolster the immune system is a good thing.

Benefit #7 – Improves Treatment Tolerance and Outcomes

Regular physical activity may help children better tolerate procedures/treatments by improving their physical and mental resilience. The benefits aren’t just in receiving care; they extend into recovery and aftercare. Exercise demonstrably helps patients recover more quickly from the side effects of cancer treatments. The more quickly they can bounce back, the better their long-term prospects. 

Benefit #8 – Promotes Social Interaction and Fun

As adults, we usually think about exercise in terms of gyms or running trails. But for kids, exercise is often synonymous with play. And play can very much be a social activity. Group exercises or recreational activities allow children to interact with kids their age, which eases a common sense of isolation among cancer patients. 

Exercise can mean sports, playing on the playground, dancing, or any activity that gets your child up and moving!

Benefit #9 – Improves Cognitive Function

Exercise also works our most important muscle – the brain! Physical activity benefits cognitive function and mental clarity. Brain fog is commonly associated with fatigue, so regular exercise can help kids maintain focus and academic performance, even during treatment.

Benefit #10 – Helps Long-Term Survivorship

Bodily health is so vital for recovery and long-term survivorship. Think of it as setting the stage for recovery. A firm foundation will make it easier to build yourself back up, where sinking sand is precarious. For pediatric cancer survivors, exercise helps mitigate the long-term effects of cancer treatments, such as cardiovascular problems, muscle atrophy, and obesity. It also sets the foundation for a healthy, active lifestyle in adulthood. The health of this foundation is not to be underestimated.

Incorporating a safe, tailored exercise regimen under medical supervision can greatly enhance pediatric patients’ quality of life during and after cancer treatment. Parents and guardians, work with your child’s healthcare team to design an appropriate exercise plan based on their needs, treatment phase, and overall health.