Physical activity has positive short-term effects on a cancer survivor’s physical functions and quality of life, a meta-analysis shows.
Reporting in the BMJ, the Hong Kong-based researchers looked at over 30 randomised trials assessing the benefits of aerobic exercise and resistance training following cancer treatment, over a median duration of around three months.
They found significant low to moderate reductions in BMI, body weight, fatigue, depression, peak oxygen consumption, peak power output and upper body strength.
There were also improvements in lower limb strength and right-hand grip, but with significant heterogeneity between studies.
However, the investigators cautioned that “the generally short durations of interventions in our selected studies would limit assessment of the long-term benefits of physical activity.”
An accompanying editorial noted that despite...
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