Lab 6 Cancer

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY & HEALTH Lab 6 SPS3111

Overview

This lab focuses on the comprehensive relationship between physical activity and health, particularly tailored for cancer patients. Understanding this relationship is crucial to improving patient outcomes and enhancing their quality of life during and after treatment.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY & CANCER

Every cancer patient should be prescribed a personalized exercise regimen as an essential component of their treatment plan. Exercise can not only help mitigate treatment side effects but also improve overall health and resilience.

Contraindications to Exercise

  1. Chemotherapy Days: No exercise should be undertaken on chemotherapy days or within 24 hours post-treatment. While previous guidelines suggested otherwise, current evidence substantiates the necessity of rest during these critical periods to minimize adverse effects.

  2. Pre-blood Draws: Engaging in exercise just before blood draws is not recommended as it may influence the results, leading to inaccurate assessments of the patient’s health status.

  3. Radiation Therapy Effects: Patients undergoing radiation therapy may experience severe reactions, which can substantially limit their ability to engage in physical activity. Adapting exercise plans accordingly is vital.

Precautions and Modifications

  • Medical Supervision: It is highly recommended to have medical supervision for patients undergoing lung or heart-related treatments, to ensure safety during physical activities.

  • Mouth Sores/Ulcerations: Patients experiencing mouth sores or ulcerations should avoid using mouthpieces during maximum testing, with alternative methods such as face masks provided for respiratory support.

Possible Side Effects from Treatment

Common side effects that can severely impact patients include:

  • Fatigue

  • Hair loss

  • Changes in body composition (such as increased fat percentage)

  • Weight gain

  • Nausea

  • Sleep disturbances

  • Joint pain and pain in other regions

  • Bone loss

  • Cognitive effects often referred to as 'chemo brain'

  • Lymphoedema

Exercise for Lymphoedema

  • Context: Lymphoedema affects approximately 20-30% of breast cancer survivors, requiring targeted interventions.

  • Historical Perspective: For years, upper body exercises were discouraged due to fears that they could worsen lymphoedema. However, modern research challenges this notion, providing evidence for the benefits of controlled exercise in managing lymphoedema symptoms.

  • Research Findings:

    • Impact of Resistance Exercise: Evidence indicates that resistance exercise does not exacerbate swelling or worsen symptoms of lymphoedema, regardless of the weights used.

      • Benefits: Regular resistance training has been shown to improve:

        • Swelling control

        • Overall strength and physical function

      • Noteworthy studies (e.g., Cormie et al. in preparation) support these findings.

Training Program Log - Week 1

  • Monitoring and Assessment: Track symptoms’ impact on activity levels through:

    • Compression sleeve usage

    • Changes in swelling and how they interfere with daily activities

    • Pain levels in both affected and non-affected arms on a scale from no pain to very severe

    • Assessment of sensations of heaviness and tightness in both arms

Exercise Components

  1. Cardio: A minimum exercise target of at least 10 minutes is recommended to promote cardiovascular health.

  2. Resistance Exercises: Should include exercises such as:

    • Chest Press

    • Seated Row

    • Leg Press

    • Shoulder Press

    • Training logged in sets and weights utilized for progress tracking.

Prostate Cancer Treatment Effects

Common side effects experienced by prostate cancer patients include:

  • Urinary incontinence

  • Sexual dysfunction

  • Fatigue

  • Weight gain

  • Muscle and bone loss

  • Cognitive impairment

  • Increased risk of cardiovascular disease, Type II diabetes, anxiety, and depression.

Special Considerations for Exercise Testing

  • Client Condition: Many cancer patients may be debilitated due to the effects of treatment, necessitating adaptations to their exercise programs.

  • Health Monitoring: Continuous reassessment is essential; any acute health changes observed are contraindications to exercise.

  • Monitoring Risks: Special attention is required for:

    • Low platelet count (increased risk of bleeding)

    • Managing cardiovascular co-morbidities, particularly in patients presenting with anemia.

LAB 6 Activities

The following activities are included to assess physical fitness and functional capacity:

  • 400m Walk Test: Evaluates endurance and recovery response while coordinating with heart rate monitoring, pacing instructions, and recording lap times.

  • Static Balance Test: Measures stability over time in various positions (wide base, narrow base, single leg, etc.).

  • Stair Climb Test: Timed assessments with multiple trials to gauge lower extremity strength.

  • 10RM Testing: Establishes maximum load capacity for specific exercises.

  • Muscular Endurance Test: Tests the endurance capacity of key muscle groups.

Conclusion

Emphasize the critical importance of individualized exercise approaches for cancer patients to enhance health outcomes, manage treatment side effects effectively, and promote a better quality of life post-cancer treatment.

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