Initial Exercise Guidance for Children and Adolescents during and beyond Cancer Treatment: ACSM Expert Consensus Statement

Abstract

In children (≤14 yr) and adolescents (15–19 yr), cancer is highly heterogeneous and essentially differs from adult malignancies. Given the numerous sequelae and fitness impairments associated with treatment, there is a growing number of randomized controlled trials assessing the effects of exercise interventions in affected children/adolescents. As such, the purpose of this American College of Sports Medicine Expert Consensus Statement was to develop the first set of exercise guidelines for children/adolescents with cancer. The proposed recommendations should serve as an initial guide for healthcare and fitness professionals working with children/adolescents with cancer. Although current advances in the field are tantalizing, more research is needed to fill remaining gaps in knowledge to better serve this population and to improve clinical practice.