Moderate exercise may make cancer treatments more effective, kinesiologist finds

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-05/ksu-mem050415.php

Public Release: 4-May-2015
Moderate exercise may make cancer treatments more effective, kinesiologist finds

Kansas State University

Kansas State University kinesiology research offers encouraging information for cancer patients: A brisk walk or a slow jog on a regular basis may be the key to improved cancer treatments.

Brad Behnke, associate professor of exercise physiology, and collaborators have shown that moderate exercise on a regular basis enhances tumor oxygenation, which may improve treatments in cancer patients.

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But the key is moderate exercise, said Behnke. Too little exercise may have no effect, but too much exercise may have a negative effect and may shut down blood flow to the tumor region or impair the immune system.

Moderate exercise is an activity that uses 30 to 60 percent of someone's aerobic capacity, Behnke said. The activity is nonstrenuous and is something that most people can perform, such as a brisk walk or a slow jog.

Research also has shown that moderate exercise can help cancer patients counteract some of the side effects of treatment -- such as low blood count, fatigue, cachexia and lost muscle mass -- which has led to many researchers labeling this as "aerobic exercise therapy" for patients with cancer, Behnke said.

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