Exercise improves the physical health of children with cancer
The physical exercise improves the quality of life of people. So far there is nothing new. However, a recent study ensures that doing physical activity not only improves overall health, but improves the condition of children with cancer by 15 percent, reducing the side effects of your medications.
The experts of the Spanish Association of Pediatrics (AEP) participated last week in Zaragoza at a Round Table of the Physical Activity Committee of the AEP and explained the results of a recent study in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. According to this one, the incorporation of physical exercise to the therapy improves the physical condition of the children between 15 and 20 percent, something that happens also, although in a 10 percent, in the children with cystic fibrosis.
Exercise in medicine
The aforementioned round table was held as part of the presentation of the North American project Exercise is Medicine, an international initiative to promote the prescription of physical exercise as part of the prevention and treatment of diseases which has the collaboration of the Physical Activity Committee of the AEP as specialists for pediatric patients.
The coordinator of this program in Spain is the doctor and member of said committee of the AEP José Antonio Casajús, who explains, through a press release, that The benefits that exercise brings to children with cystic fibrosis or cancer are "indisputable."
"As usual, there is an excess of overprotection towards these children. However, scientific evidence shows that exercise improves their quality of life, "says the expert, In fact, Casajus ensures that the data show that including physical activity within the therapeutic needs of these patients" reduces the side effects of medication. It is necessary to raise awareness among professionals who deal with them daily to apply this new approach", apostille.
For his part, the coordinator of the Physical Activity Committee of the ASP, Dr. Gerardo Rodríguez, argues that It is "essential" that professionals involved in the health and education of children "are aware of the importance of physical exercise as a therapeutic tool, effective in the prevention and treatment of prevalent diseases that cause morbidity and mortality in the population ".
Exercise in childhood
In this line, remember: "many diseases that begin in the child are complicated throughout adulthood, such as those caused by obesity or poor bone health." Spanish pediatricians warn that Obesity is a predominant cause of chronic disease among Spanish children, since it affects three of every 10 children under the age of five.
Rodríguez alerts that the number of children with obesity "has tripled in the last 30 years" and that a large part of the 'fault' is sedentary lifestyle. In fact, according to official data, about 12% of Spanish children between the ages of five and 14 do not perform physical exercise. "A trend that not only affects childhood, but continues to rise in adult life reaching over 45 percent of sedentary people between 15 and 24 years of age," lamented the association.
In order to prevent and improve the quality of life in childhood, the Physical Activity Committee has developed a series of guidelines focused on strengthen the performance of physical activity as a fundamental pillar in the prevention and treatment of diseases. These guidelines are aimed at pediatricians, physical activity educators and field researchers.
Among the general councils of the Committee for healthy children highlights the daily realization of one hour of aerobic activity with moderate or high intensity, and several strength exercises on a weekly basis, among others. "There is great scientific evidence of the benefits of physical activity for health, with the incorporation of physical exercise in the daily routine, a child improves their physical condition, as well as their bone health, the risk of obesity, school performance or In addition, it also reduces the risk of getting sick from any cause at older ages ", concludes Dr. Rodríguez.
Angela R. Bonachera
