Precision-based exercise as a new therapeutic option for children and adolescents with haematological malignancies, 2020, Lanfranconi et al

Andy

Andy

Retired committee member
Children and adolescents with haematological malignancies (PedHM) are characterized by a severe loss of exercise ability during cancer treatment, lasting throughout their lives once healed and impacting their social inclusion prospects. The investigation of the effect of a precision-based exercise program on the connections between systems of the body in PedHM patients is the new frontier in clinical exercise physiology.

This study is aimed at evaluating the effects of 11 weeks (3 times weekly) of combined training (cardiorespiratory, resistance, balance and flexibility) on the exercise intolerance in PedHM patients. Two-hundred twenty-six PedHM patients were recruited (47% F). High or medium frequency participation (HAd and MAd) was considered when a participant joined; > 65% or between 30% and < 64% of training sessions, respectively. The “up and down stairs'' test (TUDS), “6 min walking” test (6MWT), the “5 Repetition Maximum strength” leg extension and arm lateral raise test (5RM-LE and 5RM-ALR), flexibility (stand and reach), and balance (stabilometry), were performed and evaluated before and after training.

The TUDS, the 5RM-LE and 5RM-ALR, and the flexibility exercises showed an increase in HAd and MAd groups (P < 0.05), while the 6MWT and balance tests showed improvement only in HAd group (P < 0.0001). These results support the ever-growing theory that, in the case of the treatment of PedHM, ‘exercise is medicine’ and it has the potential to increase the patient’s chances of social inclusion.
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Open access, https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-69393-1
 
I pity the adolescents subjected to this approach. As I have indicated elsewhere, I can see no reason why you need to exercise specifically after successful outcome from a severe illness. With a successful outcome you should return to normal fitness when ready. A few people may not, but we have no reason to think that pushing them would help. In fact, if there is some reason why they do not return to normal fitness it is very likely that pushing will have a negative effect. It isn't as if this was any more than common sense. WHY PUSH PEOPLE? The whole idea of 'rehabilitation' for systemic ill health is nonsense.

The fact that most people who undergo exercise programmes get fitter is completely irrelevant.
 
The last bit of the abstract got to me:
it has the potential to increase the patient’s chances of social inclusion
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Oh really? Because being able to run and climb stairs increases your chances of social inclusion? Is this what they’re after? Social inclusion after cancer?
 
Imagine going to a mechanic with a because the alternator on the car doesn't work and having them tell you you just need to drive it more.

Sure, in the normal scheme of things, driving your car charges the battery via the alternator but if the alternator no longer works..... you've no power to start the engine or anything else.

Telling people who cannot exercise that exercise is the cure is beyond stupid.

It's downright cruel.
 
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