How Much and How Intense Can Cancer Patients Train? Researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York are investigating how much exercise and at what intensity cancer patients can safely train during and after treatment. The focus is on individuals who are already highly active, a group for which little evidence exists. Dr. Sara Hassing Johansen, a researcher with a PhD in exercise and cancer from the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, explains that most current guidelines are based on people who exercise at or below general physical‑activity recommendations. “Athletes enter treatment with higher fitness levels and training volumes, but we know little about how much of that training should be maintained, how to adjust for side effects, or how to return to pre‑diagnosis performance,” she says. Key Points – High‑intensity training may be safe: Johansen notes that high‑intensity exercise can be both safe and effective for some patients, but it should be discussed with treating physicians and tailored to the individual’s baseline fitness, treatment plan, symptoms, and complications. – All activity counts: The goal during treatment is not necessarily to achieve peak fitness but to prevent loss of physical function. Even light activity, such as walking in the hospital corridor or taking the stairs, can be beneficial. – Individual variability: Patients’ responses to treatment and exercise vary widely. Some can maintain most of their training, while others may need significant adjustments or may be unable to exercise during certain periods. – Research aims: Current studies at Memorial Sloan Kettering are examining optimal training dose and intensity, the best combinations of exercise modalities, and why the same training can produce different responses. Researchers are also exploring whether exercise can improve tolerance to cancer treatment, reduce dose reductions, and prevent treatment interruptions. Dr. Johansen emphasizes that there is no one‑size‑fits‑all prescription. “The most important thing is to adapt training to the individual’s starting point, treatment, and daily condition,” she says. The research aims to move from the general knowledge that exercise is beneficial to specific, evidence‑based recommendations that can be applied to patients with varying fitness levels and treatment regimens.
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