RESEARCH AND FINDINGS
OUR WORK WITH LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY
The Battle Cancer Program has been lucky enough to work with Loughborough University on a number of research projects exploring how structured, community-based exercise can support people after cancer treatment. This work has examined changes in strength and quality of life, alongside participants’ experiences of rebuilding confidence, finding connection and feeling more like themselves.
BUILDING OUR UNDERSTANDING
These projects provide encouraging early insights. They include small studies and analyses of programme data, so they cannot establish that the Program alone caused the changes observed or that everyone will experience the same benefits. Further research is needed to understand longer-term outcomes and include a wider range of participants’ experiences.
We hope to continue working with Loughborough and build more data from our programmes allowing us to further develop these findings in support of the use of structured, progressive exercise programmes post cancer.
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WHAT THE RESEARCH SUGGESTS
Analyses of programme data found improvements in strength following 12 weeks of exercise, including back squat, deadlift and strict press performance. Improvements were observed across many different cancer groups, with no clear evidence that cancer type or previous treatment independently predicted the strength gains measured.
A smaller study exploring quality of life found improvements in participants’ reported physical health, psychological wellbeing and overall quality of life.
Interviews added a personal perspective to these findings. Participants described how recognising their physical progress helped them rebuild confidence in their bodies. Exercising alongside others with shared experiences offered encouragement and a sense of belonging, while regular sessions helped them establish routines and develop goals for remaining active.
Together, these findings suggest that the value of community-based exercise can extend beyond physical strength, supporting confidence, connection and a renewed sense of possibility after treatment.
Cancer and its treatment can affect strength, energy, confidence and everyday life. A growing body of research explores how exercise can support people during recovery and beyond.
This following studies introduce research on physical fitness, fatigue, quality of life and longer-term health. Most focus on life after treatment; studies involving people receiving ongoing treatment are identified where relevant.
These publications examine different exercise programmes and populations. They provide wider context for our work, rather than evidence evaluating the Battle Cancer Program itself.
1. Exercise guidelines for cancer survivors.
Campbell and colleagues, 2019 · International research consensus
An international group of experts reviewed the evidence on exercise following cancer. Their recommendations support appropriately prescribed exercise to improve physical function, fatigue, anxiety, depressive symptoms and quality of life. They also emphasise adapting exercise to individuals’ health and treatment effects.
2. Physical activity after cancer treatment.
Fong and colleagues, 2012 · Systematic review and meta-analysis
This review brought together randomised trials examining physical activity after cancer treatment. It found benefits across several physical and psychological outcomes, particularly among people who had completed breast cancer treatment. Evidence for other cancer groups was more limited.
3. Exercise after chemotherapy
Kampshoff and colleagues, 2015 · REACT randomised controlled trial
The REACT study compared supervised resistance and endurance exercise at different intensities with a waiting-list group after cancer treatment, including chemotherapy. Both exercise programmes reduced general and physical fatigue. The findings support offering structured exercise while recognising that intensity can be adjusted. Springer Nature Link
4. Combined aerobic and resistance exercise after breast cancer
Dieli-Conwright and colleagues, 2018 · Randomised controlled trial
A 16-week supervised programme combining aerobic and resistance exercise improved physical fitness and quality of life in breast cancer survivors classified by the researchers as overweight or obese. The findings relate to this specific study population and programme.
5. Maintaining physical function in longer-term survivors
Morey and colleagues, 2009 · RENEW randomised controlled trial
This study involved older, longer-term survivors of breast, prostate and colorectal cancer. A home-based programme combining dietary changes and exercise slowed the decline in self-reported physical function compared with no intervention. Because the programme included both diet and exercise, its effects cannot be attributed to exercise alone.
6. Exercise and psychological approaches for fatigue
Mustian and colleagues, 2017 · Meta-analysis
This analysis included 113 studies investigating approaches to cancer-related fatigue. Exercise, psychological interventions and programmes combining the two reduced fatigue during and after cancer treatment. The findings support exercise as one option within fatigue care, rather than suggesting that everyone should simply push through tiredness.
7. Quality of life after treatment
Mishra and colleagues, 2012 · Cochrane systematic review
This review included 40 trials involving 3,694 people. It found that exercise may improve overall quality of life after treatment, alongside benefits in areas including fatigue, anxiety, emotional wellbeing and sleep. Results varied between studies, and the authors highlighted limitations in study quality and differences between programmes.
8. Exercise and wellbeing in people with lymphoma
Courneya and colleagues, 2009 · Randomised controlled trial
A study of 122 people with lymphoma compared 12 weeks of supervised aerobic exercise with usual care. Participants included people receiving chemotherapy and people receiving no current treatment. Exercise improved patient-reported physical functioning, quality of life, fatigue and several measures of wellbeing and fitness.
9. Weight training with existing breast cancer-related lymphoedema
Schmitz and colleagues, 2009 · Randomised controlled trial
This study involved 141 women with stable arm lymphoedema following breast cancer. Slowly progressive, twice-weekly weight training improved strength and reduced lymphoedema symptoms and exacerbations, without significantly increasing arm swelling. The carefully progressed programme is an important part of interpreting these findings.
10. Weight training for people at risk of lymphoedema
Schmitz and colleagues, 2010 · Randomised controlled trial
A related study examined women who had completed breast cancer treatment and were at risk of lymphoedema but did not have it at the start. Slowly progressive weight training, beginning with supervised instruction, did not increase the incidence of lymphoedema compared with no exercise. PubMed
11. Supporting muscle strength during prostate cancer treatment
Galvão and colleagues, 2010 · Randomised controlled trial
This trial studied men receiving androgen suppression therapy for prostate cancer who did not have bone metastases. A combined resistance and aerobic exercise programme improved muscle mass, strength and aspects of physical function compared with usual care. It demonstrates the potential value of exercise support during ongoing hormone treatment.
12. Structured exercise after chemotherapy for colon cancer
Courneya and colleagues, 2025 · CHALLENGE phase 3 randomised trial
The CHALLENGE trial investigated a three-year structured exercise programme after surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy for colon cancer. It found significantly longer disease-free survival, with results also consistent with longer overall survival. Musculoskeletal adverse events were more common in the exercise group.
These findings relate to the colon cancer population and intervention studied. They do not establish the same outcomes for every cancer type or for a shorter programme such as the Battle Cancer Program.
What does this mean for you?
Research supports exercise as a valuable part of cancer recovery and ongoing care, but there is no single starting point or programme that suits everyone. The most appropriate approach takes account of your health, previous treatment, symptoms and personal goals.
You do not need to arrive at the Battle Cancer Program already fit or experienced. Our free, 12-week programmes offer supported exercise adapted to different abilities, helping you build confidence and work towards goals that matter to you.
This page provides general research information, rather than individual medical advice. Your healthcare team can advise on any treatment-related restrictions or precautions. Links lead to research abstracts, publisher pages or full articles; some full texts may require access through a library or subscription.
