Exercise Helps Alleviate Side Effects of Cancer Treatment: Study Finds
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A major review published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine reveals that exercise can significantly reduce the side effects of cancer treatments—such as heart and nerve damage, brain fog, and shortness of breath—while improving overall quality of life and psychological wellbeing.
Researchers analyzed 80 pooled data studies from randomized controlled trials published between 2012 and July 2024, covering 485 associations across a broad range of cancers. Exercise types included mind–body practices like yoga and tai chi (28.5%), aerobic and resistance training (10%), high-intensity interval training (4%), and others (59%).
Among the 485 associations, 260 (54%) were statistically significant. According to GRADE criteria, 17% were backed by high-certainty evidence and 31% by moderate-certainty evidence. Improvements were seen across a range of outcomes—physical, emotional, and biochemical—including better sleep, reduced inflammation, improved insulin levels, and enhanced social interaction.
Preoperative exercise also showed high to moderate certainty in reducing pain, hospital stays, surgical complications, and even mortality.
“Incorporating mind–body exercises into the exercise guidelines for people with cancer may be a valuable consideration,” the researchers wrote. “Future high quality research is needed to explore additional outcomes, clarify underlying mechanisms and refine exercise prescriptions tailored to cancer type, treatment timing, exercise modality and individual characteristics.”
The authors acknowledged limitations such as variability across the included studies and the possibility that those able to exercise were healthier overall. Nonetheless, they emphasize that personalized exercise regimens should become a routine part of cancer care.
References: Bai, X-L., et al. (2025) Impact of exercise on health outcomes in people with cancer: an umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials. British Journal of Sports Medicine. doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2024-109392.
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