Physical activity in older cancer patients: evidence and clinical implications
This mini-review examines the role of physical activity in older cancer patients based on current evidence. As cancer incidence increases with age, older patients face unique challenges including comorbidities and functional decline. This review synthesizes findings regarding physical activity’s imp...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-08-01
|
| Series: | Frontiers in Oncology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1613268/full |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849235147721801728 |
|---|---|
| author | Shugo Yajima Shugo Yajima Shin Kobayashi Tadayoshi Hashimoto Hitoshi Masuda |
| author_facet | Shugo Yajima Shugo Yajima Shin Kobayashi Tadayoshi Hashimoto Hitoshi Masuda |
| author_sort | Shugo Yajima |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This mini-review examines the role of physical activity in older cancer patients based on current evidence. As cancer incidence increases with age, older patients face unique challenges including comorbidities and functional decline. This review synthesizes findings regarding physical activity’s impact on cancer prevention, post-operative recovery, and long-term outcomes in older adults. Evidence consistently demonstrates that moderate physical activity reduces risk for several cancers, improves post-surgical recovery, and enhances quality of life while potentially improving survival in cancer survivors. We also address the independent risks of sedentary behavior and briefly discuss alternative forms of physical activity such as yoga and tai chi that may be suitable for older adults. While optimal exercise regimens for specific populations remain under investigation, this review provides evidence-based guidance for incorporating physical activity across the cancer care continuum, emphasizing approaches that account for age-related considerations and functional status of older adults. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-9534475d20554718afa0641563500ddd |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2234-943X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Oncology |
| spelling | doaj-art-9534475d20554718afa0641563500ddd2025-08-20T04:02:51ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Oncology2234-943X2025-08-011510.3389/fonc.2025.16132681613268Physical activity in older cancer patients: evidence and clinical implicationsShugo Yajima0Shugo Yajima1Shin Kobayashi2Tadayoshi Hashimoto3Hitoshi Masuda4Department of Urology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, JapanPerioperative Treatment Development Promotion Office, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, JapanPerioperative Treatment Development Promotion Office, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, JapanPerioperative Treatment Development Promotion Office, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, JapanDepartment of Urology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, JapanThis mini-review examines the role of physical activity in older cancer patients based on current evidence. As cancer incidence increases with age, older patients face unique challenges including comorbidities and functional decline. This review synthesizes findings regarding physical activity’s impact on cancer prevention, post-operative recovery, and long-term outcomes in older adults. Evidence consistently demonstrates that moderate physical activity reduces risk for several cancers, improves post-surgical recovery, and enhances quality of life while potentially improving survival in cancer survivors. We also address the independent risks of sedentary behavior and briefly discuss alternative forms of physical activity such as yoga and tai chi that may be suitable for older adults. While optimal exercise regimens for specific populations remain under investigation, this review provides evidence-based guidance for incorporating physical activity across the cancer care continuum, emphasizing approaches that account for age-related considerations and functional status of older adults.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1613268/fullcancerelderlyexercisesurvivorshipcancer preventionrehabilitation |
| spellingShingle | Shugo Yajima Shugo Yajima Shin Kobayashi Tadayoshi Hashimoto Hitoshi Masuda Physical activity in older cancer patients: evidence and clinical implications Frontiers in Oncology cancer elderly exercise survivorship cancer prevention rehabilitation |
| title | Physical activity in older cancer patients: evidence and clinical implications |
| title_full | Physical activity in older cancer patients: evidence and clinical implications |
| title_fullStr | Physical activity in older cancer patients: evidence and clinical implications |
| title_full_unstemmed | Physical activity in older cancer patients: evidence and clinical implications |
| title_short | Physical activity in older cancer patients: evidence and clinical implications |
| title_sort | physical activity in older cancer patients evidence and clinical implications |
| topic | cancer elderly exercise survivorship cancer prevention rehabilitation |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1613268/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT shugoyajima physicalactivityinoldercancerpatientsevidenceandclinicalimplications AT shugoyajima physicalactivityinoldercancerpatientsevidenceandclinicalimplications AT shinkobayashi physicalactivityinoldercancerpatientsevidenceandclinicalimplications AT tadayoshihashimoto physicalactivityinoldercancerpatientsevidenceandclinicalimplications AT hitoshimasuda physicalactivityinoldercancerpatientsevidenceandclinicalimplications |