How Safe, Tailored Movement Supports Recovery
Cancer treatment can be physically and emotionally demanding. Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy and hormone therapy can all affect energy, strength, mobility, balance, sleep, mood and confidence. While rest has a place, modern cancer care increasingly recognises that the right type of exercise, prescribed safely, can help people feel and function better during and after treatment.
Exercise physiology for cancer treatment is not about pushing harder or “just going to the gym.” It is about using individualised, clinically guided movement to support the body through cancer care. At Performance Plus Healthcare Rowville, exercise physiology is available for people who need a safe, personalised and evidence-based approach to improving physical function, managing treatment-related fatigue and supporting quality of life. Performance Plus notes that its exercise physiology program supports cancer patients through individualised activity plans designed to enhance function, reduce fatigue and improve quality of life.
Does exercise physiology help during cancer treatment?
Yes, for many people, exercise physiology can be a valuable part of supportive cancer care. The Clinical Oncology Society of Australia recommends that exercise be discussed with people affected by cancer and that patients be referred to an accredited exercise physiologist or physiotherapist with experience in cancer care where appropriate. COSA also describes exercise as an adjunct therapy that can help counteract adverse effects of cancer and its treatment.
Cancer Council Australia explains that exercise may help improve physical function and fatigue, reduce treatment side effects, reduce complications from surgery and hospital time, support recovery, improve sleep and mood, maintain healthy weight and reduce the risk of some cancers returning.
The key is that exercise should be matched to the person. Cancer type, treatment stage, fatigue levels, blood counts, pain, bone health, lymphoedema risk, surgery recovery, heart health and other medical factors all matter.
What does an exercise physiologist do in cancer care?
An exercise physiologist assesses your current capacity and designs a program around your diagnosis, treatment plan, symptoms and goals. This may include aerobic exercise, strength training, flexibility, balance work, mobility exercises and education on pacing.
For someone in active treatment, the goal might be to maintain strength, reduce fatigue and keep daily tasks manageable. For someone recovering after treatment, the focus may shift toward rebuilding fitness, returning to work, improving confidence, managing weight changes or safely increasing strength after a period of deconditioning.
Cancer Council Australia recommends speaking with an exercise professional, such as an accredited exercise physiologist or physiotherapist, about the type and amount of exercise that is best for you. It also notes that exercise for people living with cancer should be tailored to cancer type, stage and side effects.
Key benefits of exercise physiology for cancer treatment
1. Helps manage cancer-related fatigue
Fatigue is one of the most common and frustrating side effects of cancer and cancer treatment. It can feel different from normal tiredness and may not fully improve with rest. A carefully paced exercise program can help prevent loss of fitness, maintain muscle function and support energy levels over time.
Cancer Council Australia notes that losing fitness can make fatigue worse and that low-intensity exercise can help people stay fit, with adjustments to how hard and how often they exercise.
2. Supports muscle strength and physical function
Cancer treatment can lead to reduced strength, muscle loss, joint stiffness and difficulty with everyday tasks. Strength and resistance training can be particularly helpful when prescribed at the right level.
This does not have to mean heavy lifting. It may involve bodyweight exercises, resistance bands, Pilates-style strength work, machine-based exercise, light weights or functional movements such as sit-to-stand practice, step-ups and balance drills. Cancer Council Australia notes that strength and resistance training can improve muscle condition.
3. Improves confidence with movement after surgery or treatment
After surgery, radiation or chemotherapy, many people feel unsure about what is safe. You may worry about pain, weakness, wound healing, lymphoedema, balance, neuropathy or doing “too much.”
A cancer-informed exercise physiology program gives structure and reassurance. Your exercises can be modified around surgical precautions, treatment side effects and your current tolerance. Cancer Council Australia recommends speaking with a doctor or oncologist before starting exercise and ideally getting a referral to an exercise physiologist or physiotherapist for an assessment and personalised plan.
4. May improve mood, sleep and quality of life
Cancer treatment affects more than the body. Many people experience anxiety, low mood, disrupted sleep, reduced confidence and a loss of control. Exercise physiology can support mental wellbeing by creating a manageable routine, improving physical capacity and helping people reconnect with what their body can do.
Cancer Council Australia reports that physical activity can help improve wellbeing, sleep issues, anxiety, fatigue, pain and overall quality of life.
5. Supports bone, heart and metabolic health
Some cancer treatments can affect bone density, cardiovascular health, body composition and metabolic health. This is especially relevant for people receiving hormone therapy, some chemotherapy drugs, radiation therapy to the chest, or steroids.
A well-designed program may include weight-bearing exercise, resistance training and aerobic exercise to support bone strength, heart health, weight management and blood glucose control. Cancer Council Australia notes that resistance and weight-bearing exercises can help keep bones strong, while aerobic and cardio exercise can help reduce the risk of long-term heart problems.
6. May support cancer outcomes in some groups
Exercise should never be described as a replacement for medical cancer treatment. However, evidence continues to grow that structured exercise may improve important outcomes for some people with cancer.
A 2025 systematic review of oncology physical activity guidelines found that all included guidelines recommended aerobic and resistance training for people with cancer, with many recommending around 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity activity plus resistance training twice weekly.
In colon cancer specifically, a major 2025 phase III study reported that a structured exercise program after surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy improved disease-free and overall survival in people with stage III and high-risk stage II colon cancer.
What type of exercise is best during cancer treatment?
There is no single “best” exercise for everyone. The safest and most effective plan is the one that matches your medical situation, current capacity and goals.
A cancer exercise physiology program may include:
Aerobic exercise: walking, cycling, step-ups, gentle cardio machines or interval-based activity to support heart and lung fitness.
Strength training: resistance bands, weights, machines, Pilates-based strength, sit-to-stand exercises and functional strength work.
Mobility and flexibility: gentle range-of-motion exercises to reduce stiffness and improve comfort.
Balance and stability: particularly useful if treatment has affected balance, coordination, nerve sensation or confidence walking.
Pacing strategies: learning how to exercise on good days, modify on difficult days and gradually build without flaring fatigue.
COSA recommends that people with cancer, where able, aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise per week, plus two to three resistance exercise sessions targeting major muscle groups. The recommendation should be tailored to each person’s abilities and treatment-related effects.
Is exercise safe during cancer treatment?
For many people, yes, but it needs to be individualised. Some side effects require extra care, including bone metastases, myeloma, low white blood cell count, low platelet count, peripheral neuropathy, skin irritation from radiation, surgical wounds, poor balance and heart damage. Cancer Council Australia advises people with these issues to speak with a doctor, physiotherapist or exercise physiologist before exercising.
This is one of the main reasons exercise physiology is so valuable. Instead of giving generic advice, an exercise physiologist can modify exercises, intensity, equipment and session structure to suit your current treatment phase and safety needs.
Exercise physiology in Rowville
If you are looking for exercise physiology for cancer care in Rowville, Performance Plus Healthcare offers exercise physiology at its Rowville clinic. The clinic is located at 958 Stud Road, Rowville VIC 3178, within the Rowville Health Complex, and services Rowville, Lysterfield, Mulgrave, Knox, Waverley, Dandenong and surrounding South Eastern Melbourne suburbs.
Performance Plus Healthcare Rowville also provides physiotherapy, women’s health physiotherapy, clinical Pilates, chiropractic and remedial massage, making it a convenient allied health location for people needing coordinated support during recovery.
Book exercise physiology support at Performance Plus Healthcare Rowville
Cancer treatment can be overwhelming, but you do not have to navigate recovery alone. A tailored exercise physiology program can help you move safely, rebuild strength, manage fatigue and feel more confident in your body.
To book an appointment, contact Performance Plus Healthcare Rowville on (03) 9898 2240 or use the booking link on the Rowville clinic page. Exercise physiology appointments are available at the Rowville clinic.
Medical note: Exercise should complement your oncology care, not replace it. Speak with your oncologist, GP or treating team before starting a new exercise program, especially if you are currently receiving treatment or experiencing new symptoms.
FAQ section
Can I exercise during chemotherapy?
Many people can exercise during chemotherapy, but the program should be adjusted to your symptoms, energy levels, blood counts and infection risk. Low-intensity walking, gentle strength work and mobility exercises may be appropriate for some people, while others may need extra precautions or temporary modifications. Always check with your treating team.
What is the best exercise for cancer-related fatigue?
The best exercise is usually a gradual mix of low-to-moderate intensity aerobic activity and strength training. Short, frequent sessions may be easier than one long workout. An exercise physiologist can help you start at the right level and progress safely.
Do I need an exercise physiologist if I already go to the gym?
A standard gym program may not account for cancer treatment side effects such as fatigue, bone weakness, lymphoedema risk, neuropathy, low immunity, surgical recovery or heart changes. An exercise physiologist can create a safer, more specific program and guide you on what to avoid or modify.
Can exercise help after cancer surgery?
Exercise may help restore movement, strength and confidence after surgery, but timing matters. You should follow your surgeon’s instructions about wound healing and restrictions. An exercise physiologist or physiotherapist can help you return to movement gradually and safely.
Where can I find cancer exercise physiology in Rowville?
Performance Plus Healthcare offers exercise physiology at its Rowville clinic at 958 Stud Road, Rowville. The clinic supports people from Rowville, Lysterfield, Mulgrave, Knox, Waverley, Dandenong and surrounding South Eastern Melbourne suburbs.
