Exercise may play an important role in helping women cope with the side effects of chemotherapy for breast cancer, according to a research review recently published in Quality in Sport.
Breast cancer remains the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women worldwide. While advancements in cancer treatment have improved survival, chemotherapy is associated with substantial side effects, including fatigue, nausea, muscle pain, sleep problems, anxiety and depression that can reduce health-related quality of life.
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The review analyzed English-language studies published between 2015 and 2025 involving adult women receiving or recovering from chemotherapy. Researchers found that supervised aerobic, resistance or combined exercise programs consistently reduced cancer-related fatigue and improved health-related quality of life. Evidence from randomized trials showed that exercise produced clinically meaningful gains in cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength and shoulder range of motion while remaining safe and associated with few serious adverse events.
Evidence summarized in the review also showed that physical activity can benefit mental health, with exercise groups reporting significantly better psychological outcomes compared to non-exercisers.
Researchers highlighted that exercise may support the body in several ways during treatment. Studies suggest it can help regulate hormones linked to breast cancer growth, support immune function, reduce inflammation and protect the heart from chemotherapy-related damage.
Overall, the authors conclude that initiating structured, supervised exercise early during chemotherapy appears safe and provides consistent benefits across physical, mental and quality-of-life outcomes.
“Future research should aim to identify optimal exercise dose, timing, and modality, and to elucidate the mechanistic underpinnings of its oncological benefits, thereby refining guidelines for routine clinical implementation,” they conclude.
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