With sports against the cancer

Sport as a useful supplement to cancer therapy

03/27/2014

Sport can help cancer patients to better cope with the burden of their illness and the required therapy. Regular physical activity is carried out according to Professor Dr. med. Jürgen Steinacker, Head of the Department of Sports and Rehabilitation Medicine at the University Hospital Ulm, „to a physical and mental stabilization“ the cancer patients. Therefore, the University Hospital in cooperation with Ulmer Ruderclub e. V., a special training program, the highlight of which is participation in the charity regatta „Rowing against cancer“ in June forms.

For a few weeks, 15 cancer patients have been training at the rowing machine in the fitness room of the Ulm rowing club. Last week Thursday (20 March) they were allowed to make serious acquaintance with a rowboat and the Danube for the first time, reports the University Hospital Ulm. This would have taken the patients a big step towards regular training after cancer. In the charity regatta at the end of June, they will prove their skills for a good cause. The proceeds of the event „Rowing against cancer“ under the patronage of the Prime Minister of Baden-Wuerttemberg, Winfried Kretschmann, and the Mayor of Ulm, Ivo Gönner, should be used, among other things, to finance sports therapists, „offering targeted sports programs for cancer patients and conducting courses“, so the message from the University Hospital.

Sport improves the quality of life and the tolerability of the therapy
The charity regatta should enable all interested cancer patients, regardless of their financial situation, to participate in a free sports program, explained Professor Steinacker. In this way, those affected could get theirs „Cancer can actively help shape itself“, said the head of the sports and rehabilitation medicine section. Through regular exercise, the increase „Quality of life and motivation as well as the tolerability of the therapies.“ The project „Rowing against cancer“ Here is a promising concept of success, since 2005 by the Foundation „Living with cancer“with the involvement of local rowing clubs and oncological therapy facilities. In Kiel, Hamburg, Dusseldorf, Offenbach, Neuruppin, Berlin and Dresden, a corresponding charity regatta is planned this year.

Use proceeds to build sports therapy offerings
According to the physicians, the participating cancer patients will benefit directly from the associated training, but future cancer patients in Ulm will benefit indirectly from the benefit regatta. Because with the proceeds of entry fees, donations and sponsorship the project Sports and cancerFrom now on, it can be supported in the sports and rehabilitation medicine section, explained Professor Steinacker. „„This project includes exercise programs such as cardiovascular training or general strengthening exercises“, Steinacker continues. The project manager at the University Hospital is the graduate sports scientist Stephanie Otto, from whom the so-called DAN concept was developed, „the sustainable sports therapy offer for all patients from the diagnosis, during the acute treatment and in the aftercare“ includes, reports the university hospital. For the implementation of the cooperation with the sports clubs is of particular importance.

Sports courses for patients with oncological diseases
The Center for Prevention and Sports Medicine at the Klinikum rechts der Isar in Munich also relies on the positive effect of sporting activities in the fight against cancer. Special sports courses for patients with oncological diseases are offered here. The training includes among others „Strength and endurance exercises, with promotion of flexibility“ as well as that „Learning breathing and relaxation techniques.“ The program is suitable for „Patients who are suffering from a tumor and would like to actively contribute to the preservation and improvement of their health by accompanying, preventive and / or rehabilitative therapy on the advice and prescription of their treating physician“, reports the Center for Prevention and Sports Medicine. Its director, Professor Martin Halle, explained to the news agency „dpa“, Patients exercising during chemotherapy are more likely to tolerate therapy. In particular, the side effects such as chronic fatigue and nausea would be better overcome. In addition, the exercise could even reduce the risk of relapse in various cancers. This applies, for example, to breast cancer, colon cancer and prostate cancer, as these cancers are metabolically dependent. According to Professor Halle, there are „in breast cancer after ten years up to 30 percent less relapse“ and in case of colorectal cancer the rate is even higher. For other cancers, such as leukemia, the impact of sports on the risk of relapse has not yet been clarified, but here, too, the quality of life in physical activity is better.

In Ulm interested people can still participate in the regatta until May 30th „Rowing against cancer“ register with project manager Stefanie Otto. „The regatta will be held in double quads“ and „Interested parties who have never sat in a rowboat can complete training sessions by prior arrangement“, emphasized the sports scientist. (Fp)

Image: Sparkie