From the Guidelines
Light to moderate physical activity, such as gentle walking, seated exercises, and stretching, is recommended during docetaxel infusions for prostate cancer. During your infusion session, consider walking short distances around the infusion area if permitted, performing seated leg lifts, ankle rotations, gentle arm stretches, and deep breathing exercises 1. These activities help maintain circulation, potentially reducing side effects like fatigue and muscle stiffness while the chemotherapy is being administered.
Key Considerations
- Always check with your oncology team before starting any exercise program during treatment, as individual recommendations may vary based on your specific health status, treatment protocol, and facility policies.
- Some cancer centers even have dedicated physical therapists who can provide personalized exercise guidance during chemotherapy.
- The goal is to stay gently active without overexertion, as maintaining some movement during infusions may help distribute the medication throughout your body while supporting your overall physical and mental wellbeing during treatment.
Exercise Guidelines
- Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise spread over 3–5 days and resistance training at least 2 days per week 1.
- Resistance sessions should involve major muscle groups 2–3 days per week (8–10 muscle groups, 8–10 repetitions, 2 sets).
- Each session should include a warm-up and cool-down.
- People living with cancer should perform exercise at a moderate intensity (3–6 times the baseline resting state) on an ongoing basis as a part of their lifestyle so that improvements in quality of life and muscular and aerobic fitness can be maintained for the long term 1.
From the Research
Exercises During Docetaxel Infusion for Prostate Cancer
There are no specific studies that directly address exercises recommended during docetaxel infusion for prostate cancer. However, some studies suggest that exercise can be beneficial for patients with prostate cancer undergoing treatment.
- A study published in 2015 2 found that supervised exercise can prevent treatment toxicity in patients with prostate cancer initiating androgen-deprivation therapy. The exercise program involved aerobic and resistance exercise sessions.
- While this study does not specifically address exercises during docetaxel infusion, it suggests that exercise can be beneficial for patients with prostate cancer undergoing treatment.
- Other studies have investigated the use of docetaxel in the treatment of prostate cancer, including its efficacy and safety 3, 4, 5, 6. However, these studies do not provide information on exercises during docetaxel infusion.
Potential Benefits of Exercise
Some potential benefits of exercise for patients with prostate cancer undergoing treatment include:
- Improved physical function and reduced fatigue
- Enhanced quality of life
- Reduced treatment toxicity
- Improved mental health and social functioning
Limitations
It is essential to note that there is limited evidence on exercises specifically recommended during docetaxel infusion for prostate cancer. Patients should consult their healthcare provider before starting any exercise program during treatment.