Exercise Intolerance

Causes & Contributing Factors

Exercise intolerance is a common issue in people living with and after cancer that makes it more difficult for people to engage in exercise and perform physical activities that were previously routine (e.g. walking, climbing stairs, carrying groceries). Cancer and its treatments can cause exercise intolerance by impairing the body’s energy production and delivery systems as well as causing muscle weakness and wasting – which directly contribute to cancer-related fatigue.

References

Bower J, Nat Rev Clin Oncol, 2014; Mortimer et al., J Nat Comp Cancer Network, 2010; O’Higgins et al., Support Care Cancer, 2018; Thong et al., Curr Treat Options Oncol, 2020; Tian et al., Oncologist, 2016; Uslu and Canbolat, Sem Oncol Nursing, 2021; Wan, X. Clin J Oncol Nursing, 2008