The role of an Exercise Physiologist in the Treatment of Cancer

The Brain Tumours Online team hosted a Q&A webinar on “Exercise, Nutrition, and Wellbeing” in April 2024. The guest speakers on the panel included Associate Professor Prue Cormie (Exercise physiologist at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre). Here we provide links to some extra information on exercise and the role of an exercise physiologist in helping ensure you have an exercise plan that is tailored to your individual needs during and after treatment for a brain tumour.

The Brain Tumours Online team hosted a Q&A webinar on “Exercise, Nutrition, and Wellbeing” in April 2024. The guest speakers on the panel included Associate Professor Prue Cormie (Exercise physiologist at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre), Dr Merran Findlay (Oncology specialist Dietician from the University of New South Wales) and Associate Professor Judith Lacey (Integrated Oncologist from Chris O’Brien Lighthouse). If you missed seeing the webinar live, you can watch the video.

Resources on exercise recommended in the webinar:

Following the webinar, A/Prof Prue Cormie sent through a few additional resources that she thought would be helpful for anyone looking for more information about the benefits of exercise and the role of an accredited exercise physiologist in helping ensure you have an exercise plan that is tailored to your individual needs whether you are actively receiving treatment for a brain tumour, or not. We have provided links to these resources below.

What is the Role of an Accredited Exercise Physiologist in the Treatment of Cancer?

Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA) have developed a Consensus Statement that describes how having an accredited exercise physiologist in your treating team can help improve your physical and mental health. You can download a copy as a PDF at the bottom of this page. This consensus statement covers answers to the following questions you may have:

  • Why should I exercise when I have cancer?
  • What are the exercise recommendations for people with cancer?
  • What do accredited exercise physiologists do?
  • How will an exercise physiologist help me?
  • How do accredited exercise physiologists deliver their services?
  • How can I find an accredited exercise physiologist?
  • How much does it cost to see an accredited exercise physiologist?

Exercise for Patients with Glioblastoma (Research Articles)

A team of Australian researchers explored the perceptions of patients with a glioblastoma and their carers who jointly participated in an exercise program. They further conducted a feasibility study to identify the preliminary efficacy of supervised and tailored exercise on muscle strength, function, fatigue and quality of life in patients with glioblastoma. We have provided a summary of these research papers, and links to the original research articles here.

ESSA Interactive Map to find accredited exercise physiologists

Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA) have an interactive map tool to help you find an accredited exercise physiologist in your area. You can search by your postcode for an accredited exercise physiologist, and there is a filter that should allow you to search for one with a speciality of ‘cancer’.

 

Give us your feedback!

We’ve curated lots of information we think might be useful to you and your loved ones. If you think the content we’ve curated isn’t informative or the link is broken, let us know at BT-online@unimelb.edu.au.

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