Cancer patients need exercise to help them function emotionally, spiritually and physically. Working out properly, at the correct intensity while using good form, can fight fatigue, keep energy levels up, maintain proper weight and battle depression or feelings of frustration. Having a well-rounded exercise routine that incorporates resistance, balance, flexibility and endurance can enhance and quicken the recovery process. Consult with your doctor to look at your options.
Rest
Rest plays an important role in any good exercise routine for a cancer patient. Taking a day off from exercise gives your muscles time to rebuild and regenerate, according to HCA Healthcare. It also gives your body time to adjust to any new physiological changes taking place because of your cancer. In addition, it helps reduce muscle soreness and fatigue by removing metabolic waste, known as toxins, from your body.
Enjoyment
A good exercise routine for a cancer patient needs to consist of enjoyable activities. These decrease boredom and help assure your exercise success by increasing the fun factor. Keep track of your enjoyment level by maintaining an enjoyment meter, according to HCA Healthcare. After every activity, rate the activity based upon how much fun you had. Develop a scale with 1 being a miserable level, 5 being average and 10 being perfect. Consider having a list of enjoyable activities to choose from. This lets you alternate activities on different days to keep your interest level up and increase your exercise success.
Stretching and Balance
Stretching can help a cancer patient's body recuperate after an exercise workout and allow the muscles a chance to return to normal functioning. Stretching also can reduce muscle stiffness and strain while making movements less painful, according to HCA Healthcare. Do gentle stretches without bouncing or forcing the movements to avoid injury. Start doing some yoga, Pilates or tai chi to concentrate on improving balance and flexibility.
Blood Flow
Increasing your blood circulation improves your ability to distribute oxygen and nutrients throughout your body properly. A good exercise routine for a cancer patient needs to include aerobic activities that increase the heart and breathing rate for an extended period while enhancing lung and cardiovascular functioning. Aerobic activities also burn more calories than other forms of exercising, which can offset the risk of gaining weight, a common occurrence among cancer patients. Choose from a variety of aerobic activities including brisk walking, swimming, dancing or bicycling and exercise for 30 minutes on five or more days weekly.
Strength
A good exercise routine for a cancer patient includes resistance training. Keeping your muscles strong not only increases muscle mass but burns calories more efficiently, boosts your body's resting metabolic rate and keeps blood sugar levels intact. Doing a variety of weight-bearing, strengthening exercises also increases bone density and helps counteract chemotherapy's tendency to decrease bone strength, according to FoxNews. Start by lifting 1-lb. weights and gradually increase as you become stronger. Start with two sets and rest one minute between sets. Remember to exhale as you lift and inhale as you lower the weight. Do not do more than 20 repetitions per maneuver to prevent fatigue or injury.
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