Benefits of exercise

There are many benefits to being physically fit whilst undergoing cancer treatment for leukaemia, and in the recovery period too. It can reduce stress and give you more energy, and a large amount of research and information is available on these benefits.

What sort of exercise should you do?

You need to ensure you choose something you enjoy which is also appropriate for your level of fitness, diagnosis and circumstance. There is no point doing something you have no interest in as most people find it hard enough getting motivated to exercise in the first place.

When you feel able to exercise, you should increase your exercise activities gradually. At first, you may feel much more tired than usual, but over time this will improve. Regular exercise can help increase strength, maintain muscle mass and promote flexibility. It also helps to alleviate fatigue, and activities that include weight-bearing exercise can also help to improve bone density and reduce the risk of bone thinning (osteoporosis).

The key to exercising is to plan it into your schedule and find as many ways as possible to incorporate it into your everyday life. Aim to work up to doing 30 minutes of exercise four to five times a week if you can.   If you find it difficult to do 30 minutes at one time, break it down into 10-minute blocks and increase it as your strength and endurance improves.

The extent and rigour of the exercise that you do will depend on your current activity levels and physical condition. Walking for 20 minutes each day is an excellent choice of exercise for almost anyone. Mild exercise like walking is very good for you and helps to alleviate fatigue. Start exercising slowly and gradually build up to a more strenuous workout. Don’t push yourself to the point where you are very tired and out of breath. Staying active during the day will also help encourage normal fatigue at night, making it easier to sleep.

Although exercise has many benefits for leukaemia patients, it is important to always check with your healthcare professional before starting any exercise program and to be aware that you may need to take some precautions.

Precautions

Blood Counts:

Low red blood cells (anaemia): Red blood cells carry oxygen to your organs and tissues. When they are low, they may not be able to keep up with the increased demand put on your body during exercise. You may notice that you get tired much more easily and might have difficulty catching your breath when you exert yourself. During times when you have low red blood cell counts, you should reduce the intensity of your workouts or avoid them altogether depending on the advice of your medical team.

Low white blood cells (neutropenia): When your white blood cells counts are low, you have a decreased ability to fight off infections. At this time, you should avoid crowds and keep your exercise routine closer to home. Gyms, swimming pools and changing rooms increase your risk of being exposed to a virus or bacteria that can make you unwell. If you have a fever, don’t push yourself to exercise. Take some time off to help your body heal and recuperate.

Low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia)

Platelets are responsible for forming clots in your body. When your platelets are low, you are more at risk of bleeding and bruising. For this reason, you should avoid contact sports and activities in which you may be at high risk of falls or injury. You may choose to use resistance bands instead of heavyweights that you could drop.

Peripheral neuropathy

Some people have a loss of sensation, or feelings of pins and needles, in their hands and feet due to cancer treatments. This is called peripheral neuropathy. If you have this, it might be better to use a stationary bike than to do other types of weight-bearing exercise.

Central Venous Catheter

If you have a central venous catheter (CVC) you will need to make sure it is well secured before exercise activities. A tunnelled CVC can be tucked into a sports bra or taped or fastened to your body. Peripheral CVC (PICC lines) should be taped or wrapped securely to prevent them from becoming dislodged.

After you have completed your treatment

The NHS currently recommends that adults aged 19 to 64 should try to be active daily and should do:

• At least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity such as cycling or brisk walking every week and
• Strength exercises on two or more days a week that work all the major muscles (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders and arms).

This should be viewed as a target to work towards, it is important to start at a low level of intensity and work up gradually, especially if you are recovering from treatment.

Another benefit of keeping your fitness up after treatment is that it can reduce longer-term risks such as heart disease, which may be associated with some treatments. It can also increase the likelihood that you are fit enough for optimum treatment in the future, should you need additional treatment.

You can find even more exercise tips on our website. Just head to: http://leukaemiacare.org.uk/support-and-information/information-about-blood-cancer/living-well-with-leukaemia/exercise/