General Population vs. Cancer Survivors Exercise Recommendations

The American College of Sports Medicine revisits exercise prescription for the average person every few years. The current recommendations for exercise, aside from any physical limitations existing are as follows.

Aerobic Activity

• Moderate exercise for 30 minutes per day, 5 days per week or…
  
• Vigorous activity 20 minutes per day, 3 days per week
  
• Moderate means that you are working hard enough to break a sweat but to also be able to carry on a conversation.
  
• For weight loss, you may need to do 60-90 minutes of aerobic activity
  
  

Strength Training

• 8 to 10 strength training exercises, 8-12 repetitions, twice per week
  
  

ACSM, the American Cancer Society, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have come to a simple conclusion about exercise prescription for cancer survivors.

Avoid inactivity.

The message is simple and a little underwhelming, but so integral to recovery. ACSM, ACS, and USDHHS have stuck to the general exercise recommendations for post-cancer treatment, only applying them appropriately based on common side effects from treatments. Also, mandating a doctor’s release after treatment is a must and referring back to the doctor is necessary when showing these signs:

• Unusual weakness
  
• Fever/infection
  
• Diarrhea and vomiting
  
• Unusual leg and joint pain or bruising
  
• Irregular heartbeat or chest pain
  
• Lymphedema symptoms
  
• Change in appearance of cancer site
  
• Lump in the breast or groin
  
• Change in skin color or texture
  
• Impairment with coordination, vision or hearing
  
  

Recovery from cancer treatment can be slow and frustrating. Consulting with your physician and a Cancer Exercise-certified trainer can help you develop a program that is individualized to meet your current level of fitness after treatment and encourage you to remain focused on returning to a better state of wellness.

Source: Irwin, Melinda L. ACSM's Guide to Exercise and Cancer Survivorship. Champaign, IL. Human Kinetics. 2012. Print.