Is exercise beneficial with chemotherapy in acute leukemia treatment?

The study looked at the effect of exercise on patients with acute leukemia under chemotherapy treatment. Researchers found that exercise had a key benefit in these patients.

Acute leukemia (AL) is a cancer of the bone marrow that can lead to a weak immune system. This reduces physical functions and quality of life.

Exercise is often split into endurance (running, swimming) and resistance (weight-lifting). It is important to research if types of exercise are useful as part of treatment in patients with AL.

Twenty-nine patients with AL were divided into 3 study groups based on exercise type. Group 1 had 10 patients and was the endurance group (EG). Group 2 was the resistance group (RG) with 9 patients and group 3 was the control group (CG – false treatment to compare study results) with 10 patients. Patients exercised for 30-45 mins three times per week during chemotherapy treatment and had their quality of life measured.

Maximum strength improved in the RG group and was reduced in the EG and CG groups. Endurance capacity did not change significantly in any of the groups. There was no change in the quality of life after the exercise treatments.

The study concluded that resistance training exercise was beneficial to patients undergoing chemotherapy for acute leukemia.

This study had a small sample size and the results only weakly support its conclusion. Larger studies are needed to confirm data.

Consult with your doctor about exercise training.