Physical Activity for Oncological Patients in COVID-19 Era: No Time to Relax

Alice Avancini; Ilaria Trestini; Daniela Tregnago; Joachim Wiskemann; Massimo Lanza; Michele Milella; Sara Pilotto

doi:10.1093/jncics/pkaa071

Physical Activity for Oncological Patients in COVID-19 Era: No Time to Relax

JNCI Cancer Spectr. 2020 Aug 24;4(6):pkaa071. doi: 10.1093/jncics/pkaa071. eCollection 2020 Dec.

Authors

Alice Avancini¹, Ilaria Trestini², Daniela Tregnago², Joachim Wiskemann³, Massimo Lanza⁴, Michele Milella², Sara Pilotto²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Medicine, Biomedical, Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
² Department of Oncology, University of Verona, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata, Verona, Italy.
³ Division of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg and University Clinic Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
⁴ Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.

Abstract

Whereas the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) storm is relentlessly progressing worldwide, a great effort from scientific societies has been made to give recommendations for safely continuing oncological care, prioritizing the interventions according to patients' condition and type and stage of tumor. Nevertheless, to date no specific suggestions regarding physical activity and exercise in cancer patients during the COVID-19 era have been released, neglecting the potential deleterious effects of quarantine and sedentary behaviour (imposed as containment measures against COVID-19), particularly in these subjects. Moreover, literature is constantly consolidating the crucial impact of regular physical activity in cancer in reducing recurrence and mortality risk. In this commentary, we discuss possible adaptations of the recently published exercise guidelines to the current pandemic emergency, proposing various modalities to prevent or mitigate the physical inactivity risk in cancer patients.