Adapted physical activity

Benefits of adapted physical activity

Today, adapted physical activity is the only recognized non-drug therapy. It can be sports activity, but also everyday and professional activities that involve movement, for example - walking, gardening, cleaning, shopping, climbing stairs, etc. It is important to lead an active life starting from the beginning of the treatments, and to continue, as much as possible, to engage in the activities you enjoy.
Maintaining an adapted physical activity routine during and after cancer treatments has many benefits, such as:

• Decreased fatigue - by at least 25%
• Improved sleep
• Positive impact on the emotions and psychology of patients who maintain it
• Stress reduction
• Improvement of concentration and cognitive functions
• Prevention of the risk of excess weight and obesity.

Regular physical activity makes it possible to tolerate treatments better by reducing the side effects and pain, and it also helps improve the chance of survival for several cancers. In addition, practicing regular physical activity contributes to a better overall quality of life during treatments.

Tips for practicing physical activity adapted to everyday life

• Install an application on your mobile device to count your steps
• Equip yourself with a pedometer or a connected watch
• Take the stairs as often as possible
• Exit the subway one station early
• Walk your dog more

Adapted physical activity at Institut Curie

Institut Curie has been labeled "Maison Sport-Santé" by the French Ministry of Sports and the French Ministry of Health. This is because Institut Curie aims to welcome and guide people with cancer wishing to practice and to develop or resume physical or sporting activity for health and well-being purposes, whatever their age.
That is why Institut Curie provides access to a physical fitness check-up and collaborates with associations promoting adapted physical activity which set up efficient programs adapted to the physical abilities of each patient. Institut Curie, as well as its adapted physical activity instructors and partners, aim to:

• Allow the expression and identification of physical activity needs throughout the course of care
• Inform, raise awareness, and disseminate recommendations
• Offer physical activity and/or adapted physical activity as part of the personalized care plan (PCP)
• Rely on and refer to the associations identified for the personalized post-cancer plan (PPCP)

A medical certificate of non-contraindication is necessary for supervised practice during and after treatments; a medical prescription for physical activity can also be provided by your general practitioner or your oncologist.

Adapted physical activity during treatments 

The objective of physical activity programs during treatments is to prevent the occurrence of a sedentary lifestyle and a reduction in the level of physical activity from the start of treatment. Also, it is recommended to:

• Limit and break up sedentary periods every 2 hours (lying down or sitting for a long time, traveling by car as a passenger, reading or writing while seated, sitting while watching TV, working at a desk on a computer) with short phases of activity for a few minutes - getting up, moving around, etc.
• Start, maintain, or resume an active lifestyle and behavior as soon as possible after surgery (unless medically contraindicated) and during treatments.

Although physical activity is essential, the conditions of practice vary according to the state of health, treatments, and the wishes and abilities of each patient. They must therefore be adjusted according to all these criteria, as well as the initial level of physical activity. It is with the agreement of the doctor that a physical activity and/or sports regimen is set up, adapted, if necessary, and supervised by physical activity professionals trained in oncology.
Stays, where physical and/or sporting activity is integrated into the offer, are also possible thanks to the partners of Institut Curie; they can be a way to resume or maintain physical activity, and they can be arranged by contacting the Patient Center in Saint-Cloud and at the Information Meeting Space in Paris.

Adapted physical activity after treatments

After cancer treatments, the INCa benchmarks and recommendations in terms of practicing physical activity match those defined for the general population. The objective is to adopt or maintain an active lifestyle, inseparable from a varied and balanced diet.

Exercise:

• 5 days out of 7: 30 minutes of moderate to intense physical activity (daily active walking), and,
• 45 minutes of muscle strengthening 1 to 2 times a week
• Relaxation exercises 2 to 3 times a week

Associations and partner entities

Institut Curie counts on the support of its partners in order to offer an adapted and complete program:

• www.sportetcancer.com 
• www.sielbleu.org 
• www.achacunsoneverest.com 
• www.maisondelavie.fr 
• www.aforcedenvies.com 
• www.rosamouv.com 
• www.sporkif.com 
• www.ffepgv.fr 
• www.UCPA.com 
• www.kiplin.com 
• www.RCVB.fr 
• www.solutionriposte.fr