About exercise

Physical activity can have benefits before, during and after cancer treatment. Before starting any new exercise, it is important to check with your healthcare team. To figure out the best exercise program for you, talk to your doctors and qualified exercise professionals, such as an accredited exercise physiologist or physiotherapist.

Physical activity and exercise

Physical activity is a broad term for body movement that uses your muscles, and may speed up your breathing and heart rate. It includes exercise sessions as well as some everyday activities, like housework, gardening and walking the dog.

Exercise is physical activity that is usually structured and aims to improve health and fitness. It can include doing planned or specific movements (like in a yoga class or with an exercise physiologist), or other physical activity (like going for a bike ride or walk). Learn about the benefits of different types of exercise.

In this section we explain why exercise is important for people with or recovering from cancer, and any precautions to take. We also give a guide to how much exercise you can aim to do. We have included tips on getting physically active and preparing for exercise, plus some exercises that you can do at home or with an exercise professional.

Most people take some time to get back into exercise, so try to be patient with yourself – it’s okay to try a little to start with and work up to what you need to do.

I walk 3 or 4 times a week. It gives me extra energy and helps clear my mind. If I don’t do any walking, I really notice the difference in my energy levels and my mood.

Rima

The different types of exercise

Aerobic and cardio exercise

• Uses large muscle groups repeatedly and is usually done over an extended period.
• Causes your heart and breathing rates to rise.
• Increases your ability to use oxygen, which improves heart, lung and muscle fitness.
• With time, strenuous tasks become easier.

Strength and resistance training

• Makes your muscles work harder than usual against some sort of resistance.
• Strength or resistance training is also known as weight training.
• Over time, improves the size, quality and capacity of your muscles.

Flexibility exercises

• Can help to stretch your muscles.
• Improve your flexibility or how far you can move – also called your range of motion.
• Include yoga and Pilates.

Balance exercises 

• Being able to stay upright or in control of your body movement.
• Often done by being still (static) but sometimes also by moving (dynamic).
• Improve stability, which can help to prevent falls.