One of Physioclem’s greatest missions is to stay closely connected to its community. It is from this DNA that the program “Fight Cancer Through Movement” was born a project developed by Physioclem in partnership with Vida em Movimento.
Physioclem clinics in Alcobaça, Caldas da Rainha, Oeiras and Torres Vedras offer people with oncological conditions and cancer survivors a free clinical exercise program, which began in September 2024.
objetives
- To provide the community - individuals with cancer or cancer survivors - with free access to exercise tailored to their clinical condition. The program also aims to raise awareness of the importance of exercise in cancer treatment and to promote the adoption of a healthier lifestyle, empowering individuals to exercise independently.
SERVICE PROVIDED
- A structured clinical exercise program supervised by a professional specialized in oncology and exercise (physiotherapist or exercise physiologist), fully funded by Physioclem.
target participants
- Individuals diagnosed with cancer, at any stage of the disease (prehabilitation, rehabilitation, or survivorship), without neurological, cardiovascular, metabolic, or renal conditions that contraindicate exercise.
- Individuals who have completed treatment (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or surgery) within the past year.
Exclusion criteria:
- Individuals who completed treatment more than one year ago and present with bone metastases.
Local
- Physioclem Alcobaça
- Physioclem Caldas da Rainha
- Physioclem Oeiras
- Physioclem Torres Vedras
DURATION AND FREQUENCY
-
The program lasts one year.
- First 3 months: supervised clinical exercise sessions, twice a week, at Physioclem facilities. Each session lasts approximately one hour.
- Following 9 months: follow-up at two key moments—reassessment at 6 and 12 months.
STRUCTURE
Initial Assessment Session
Includes collection of clinical information and an initial evaluation, using a pre-participation screening questionnaire, test battery, and assessment scales.
Structured Exercise Sessions
Tailored sessions based on the stage of the disease, initial assessment results, and defined goals.
Reassessment Sessions
Conducted at 3, 6, and 12 months, repeating the same tests and scales to monitor progress.
Cancer and its treatments often lead to multiple immediate and/or long-term side effects, which may reduce function and participation, significantly impacting quality of life.
Several scientific studies show that individuals with cancer who have low muscle mass and strength (sarcopenia) tend to have poorer outcomes following treatments such as surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. These individuals are also more likely to experience treatment-related toxicity, with serious consequences for their quality of life.
Research strongly supports the role of exercise during cancer treatment, particularly exercise that promotes positive musculoskeletal adaptations. Exercise has also been shown to improve psychosocial factors, including quality of life, reduction of anxiety and depression, increased self-esteem, and reduced cancer-related fatigue.
INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION
For more information, please contact Physioclem.
You can also pre-register here: bit.ly/Programa_Comunitário_Exercício_Oncológico_
