13 Feb The Components of Physical Activity
Since cancer treatment often interferes with organized and unorganized physical activity it appears that physical activity and motor fitness both during and after treatment increases physical and mental well-being in pediatric patients. Therefore, it is important to recommend the integration of exercise in pediatric patients during treatment, with a concomitant benefit of reducing sedentary time (4).
The degree of exercise depends on the age, type and stage of cancer, the type of treatment and the limitations due to the disease itself and the complications of treatment. Of course, for children who are extremely susceptible (due to osteopenia, immunocompromised, impaired cardiorespiratory status), adjustments are made to the recommendations (reduction in time, reduction in duration and frequency and reduction in load) (4).
The frequency, intensity, time and type (FIIT) of exercise that apply to healthy children may not be applied identically, but studies to date suggest a combination of home (2 days per week) and inpatient or hospital-based (1 day per week) programs for approximately 60 minutes. Of course, in this effort, parents or caregivers of the children need to be very well informed about the exercises to be able to encourage children's participation (4).
Therefore, in ongoing treatment, it is recommended that exercise be conservative and monitored by a specialist. Medical clearance for participation in structured activity is critical. In the initial phase of prescribed exercise, transition from sedentary behavior to any movement is the primary goal. This exercise may include supervised walking, strength training with physical therapy, or rehabilitation exercises after surgery. The duration of exercise should be increased before increasing the intensity of the exercise, and when at least 30 minutes of continuous activity at low intensity is feasible, the intensity of the exercise can be increased (4).
Before starting any form of exercise the child should be adequately hydrated and fed to avoid any possibility of exercise in a hypoglycaemic state. Furthermore, exercise should be avoided if haematological, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, cardiorespiratory and neurological conditions are not fulfilled (4).