Moving Forward with Hope: The Promising Role of Exercise in Cancer Care 🎗️

October is a time when we collectively raise our voices for Breast Cancer Awareness, celebrating the incredible strength of survivors and supporting those currently on their journey. At our clinic, we believe in the power of movement to heal and empower. While exercise is widely recognized for its benefits in prevention and recovery, new research is highlighting its potential to be an active part of cancer treatment itself.

New studies are shedding light on how exercise, particularly high-intensity and resistance training, can create a powerful anti-cancer environment within the body. While more research is still needed, the initial findings are giving us a reason to be incredibly hopeful and optimistic about the future of exercise medicine.

Drilling Down into the Research: What Did the Workouts Look Like?

The two studies looked at very specific types of exercise, offering a clear picture of what a potential exercise prescription might look like. Researchers focused on a combination of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and resistance training.

High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT): In both studies, HIIT was performed on a stationary bicycle. Participants were instructed to pedal at a high intensity for a short period, followed by a period of lower intensity or rest. This structured approach pushes the body to its limits in a controlled way, maximizing the physiological benefits in a short amount of time.

Resistance Training: The resistance training programs focused on building strength in both the upper and lower body. The exercises included:

• Lower Body: Leg press, leg extensions, squats, lunges, and calf raises.

• Upper Body: Chest press, seated row, and shoulder press.

The intensity of these exercises was key. Participants performed the movements until they reached "concentric failure," which means they continued the exercise until their muscles were no longer able to complete a repetition. This type of training is designed to be highly effective at stimulating muscle growth and releasing those beneficial anti-cancer myokines.

Exercise and the Body's Natural Defences

Researchers have found that a single session of either high-intensity interval training (HIIT) or resistance training can increase the levels of a unique group of proteins in the body called myokines. These powerful proteins are produced by our muscle cells during exercise and are known to have anti-cancer properties. Imagine your muscles releasing tiny, beneficial messengers that travel throughout your body, seeking to suppress cancer cell growth. One study even found that a single exercise session was enough to significantly reduce the growth of cancer cells in a lab setting. This isn't just about feeling better; it's about a physiological shift with the potential for real, tangible benefits.

Building on this, another study followed breast cancer survivors through a 12-week program of either resistance training or high-intensity interval training. The results were just as encouraging. Participants in both groups saw significant increases in their myokine levels and a continued inhibition of cancer cell growth in lab tests. This suggests that a consistent exercise program doesn't just provide a temporary boost—it could create a sustained, positive internal environment that supports the body's fight against cancer.

A New Perspective on Treatment

For so long, the focus of cancer treatment has been on fighting the disease directly with medicine, chemotherapy, and radiation. While these methods are essential, this emerging research points to a future where exercise is not just a supportive therapy for managing side effects, but a core part of the treatment plan itself. It’s an empowering thought: that through movement, you can actively contribute to your body’s ability to defend itself.

It’s important to remember that these are early-stage findings. The studies were conducted on a small scale, and some of the key findings were based on how exercise-induced changes affect cancer cells in a lab. We need more research to understand exactly how these effects translate to real-world outcomes for individuals living with cancer. However, this is an incredibly important first step. It validates what many have long suspected—that movement and strength can play a vital role in our health, even in the face of significant challenges.

We see this as a pivotal piece of research for those who are living with and beyond cancer.

It is a source of hope, a reminder that through purposeful movement, you can take an active role in your well-being. It highlights the profound connection between our physical bodies and our ability to heal and thrive, and shows that not only is intense exercise safe, it is potentially life-saving.

If you're curious about how to get started with exercise, our team would happy to guide you!

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Clare Donaldson is a Registered Physiotherapist, mom, barbell enthusiast, poor but passionate hockey player, and genuine lover of all things physiotherapy. She is especially interested in keeping moms of all ages strong and healthy throughout their lives. When she's not at CONNECT, you can find Clare hiking with her dog, Moose, or spending time with her young family. To find Clare at CONNECT, click here