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What are the effects of exercise training in childhood cancer survivors? A systematic review

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Abstract

This systematic review aimed to summarize evidence on the effects of physical exercise interventions in childhood cancer survivors (CCS) who had finished anticancer therapy ≥ 1 year before the study. Relevant articles were identified in the electronic databases PubMed, Web of Science, and SPORTDiscus (from inception to June 27, 2019). The PEDro scale was used to assess methodological quality. Twelve studies including 109 CCS met all inclusion criteria and were included in the systematic review. The quality of the included studies was overall low. Physical exercise improved endothelial function, reduced waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio and increased physical activity levels. Preliminary evidence was found regarding benefits on brain volume and structure after exercise interventions in childhood brain tumor survivors. Only two studies reported exercise-related adverse events. Physical exercise seems to be safe and effective for improving several health markers in CCS, but further high-quality research and especially randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these results.

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Funding

Research by the authors is supported by the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport (Javier S. Morales, contract #FPU14/03435; Cecilia Rincón-Castanedo, contract #FPU16/03956; and Alba M. Herrera-Olivares, contract #FPU18/00215); Universidad de Alcalá (Pedro L. Valenzuela, contract #FPI2016); the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness and Fondos Feder (Alejandro Lucia, grant #PI15/00558 and PI18/00139); the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Miguel Servet research contract (Carmen Fiuza-Luces, ref. #CP18/00034)); and “Fundación Unoentrecienmil” and “Fundación MAPFRE” (Convocatoria Ignacio H. de Larramendi). Research in exercise and cancer by Carmen Fiuza-Luces is funded by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Sport Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Madrid, Spain

    Javier S. Morales, Alba M. Herrera-Olivares, Cecilia Rincón-Castanedo, Asunción Martín-Ruiz & Alejandro Lucia

  2. Department of Systems Biology, University of Alcalá, Madrid, Spain

    Pedro L. Valenzuela

  3. Fissac–Physiology, Health and Physical Activity, Madrid, Spain

    Adrián Castillo-García

  4. Research Institute of the Hospital 12 de Octubre (i+12), Av. Cordoba, s/n, 28041, Madrid, Spain

    Carmen Fiuza-Luces & Alejandro Lucia

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  1. Javier S. Morales
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Morales, J.S., Valenzuela, P.L., Herrera-Olivares, A.M. et al. What are the effects of exercise training in childhood cancer survivors? A systematic review. Cancer Metastasis Rev 39, 115–125 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10555-020-09852-3

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