First Exercise Recommendations for Pediatric Cancer Patients Published; Clinical Trial Launches for Young Sarcoma Care
The American College of Sports Medicine has published the first evidence-based exercise guidelines for children and adolescents with cancer, recommending safe, supervised activity during treatment. A new clinical trial is also evaluating structured exercise for young sarcoma patients undergoing chemotherapy to improve outcomes and quality of life.
The first evidence-based exercise recommendations specifically for children and adolescents with cancer have been published by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), and a separate clinical trial is now evaluating how structured exercise can benefit young sarcoma patients during chemotherapy.
The ACSM Expert Consensus Statement, published in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, states that exercise can be performed safely during and after cancer treatment when appropriately supervised and individualized. An international panel of experts screened more than 12,000 studies to establish the guidance. The key findings indicate that combined aerobic and resistance exercise improves muscle strength and physical function, while aerobic exercise enhances cardiorespiratory fitness after treatment, particularly for survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The consensus also emphasizes that children and adolescents with cancer should avoid prolonged inactivity and bed rest whenever medically feasible. Practical guidance recommends supervised concurrent aerobic and resistance training two to three times per week for at least 8 weeks, with sessions lasting 30 to 45 minutes. Activities may include running, cycling, ball games, and age-appropriate strength exercises.
Concurrently, a first-of-its-kind clinical trial at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center is launching to evaluate a structured, multimodal exercise program for pediatric, adolescent, and young adult sarcoma patients. The 12-week randomized controlled trial will recruit newly diagnosed patients aged 12-39 who are beginning chemotherapy. Participants will be assigned to either a hybrid exercise program combining aerobic, resistance, and flexibility training or standard care without structured exercise. Researchers will track chemotherapy completion rates, symptom burden, physical functioning, quality of life, and biomarkers of immune function and inflammation. The study aims to assess feasibility, chemotherapy uptake, and side effect mitigation.
The sarcoma trial is funded by the Florida Cancer Innovation Fund, a $60 million state initiative, with the research team receiving $328,052. The study will use innovative technology, including physical activity monitors and a video-based research platform, to collect real-time data and personalize exercise prescriptions. Recruitment will leverage electronic health records and local clinic partnerships, with materials provided in multiple languages to ensure accessibility.
Together, these developments underscore a growing shift toward integrating exercise as a core supportive therapy in pediatric oncology care worldwide.