Lab Chat: How cancer patients can benefit from exercise the way astronauts do
Astronauts undergo intensive exercise routines to help stave off some of the harmful effects of space flight. In a new commentary, researchers suggest fitness programs could also help cancer patients, since the side effects they experience from the disease are similar to what astronauts feel from space travel. I spoke with Jessica Scott, an exercise physiologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and lead author of the paper, to learn more.
What are the similarities between astronauts and cancer patients?
Almost every system in the body is impacted [by space flight], basically from their head down to their toes. Their taste changes. They have “space fog,” which is similar to what cancer patients call “chemo brain.”
How are you testing exercise’s effects on cancer patients?
One of the key tests is a cardiorespiratory fitness test, which is a 10-minute test of patients’ functional capacity. Another part is delivering treadmills to patients in their own homes. They get an iPad and we can supervise their exercise remotely.
Read the rest of our conversation here.
What are the similarities between astronauts and cancer patients?
Almost every system in the body is impacted [by space flight], basically from their head down to their toes. Their taste changes. They have “space fog,” which is similar to what cancer patients call “chemo brain.”
How are you testing exercise’s effects on cancer patients?
One of the key tests is a cardiorespiratory fitness test, which is a 10-minute test of patients’ functional capacity. Another part is delivering treadmills to patients in their own homes. They get an iPad and we can supervise their exercise remotely.
Read the rest of our conversation here.
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