Editorial: Resistance training for the oncology patient

Beyond pharmacological and surgical interventions, a growing body of evidence supports the role of lifestyle-related strategies, particularly physical exercise, as a safe and effective adjunct therapy in oncology. Exercise interventions have demonstrated benefits in reducing cancer-related fatigue, preserving physical function, improving quality of life, and attenuating psychological distress during and after treatment (2,3). Moreover, observational studies indicate that higher levels of physical activity after cancer diagnosis are associated with reduced cancer-specific and all-cause mortality across several tumor types (4). These findings have led major scientific and clinical organizations to recommend the systematic integration of exercise into standard cancer care, emphasizing that oncology patients should avoid inactivity whenever medically feasible.Among the different exercise modalities, resistance training has emerged as a particularly relevant intervention for oncology patients. Cancer and its treatments are commonly associated with sarcopenia, muscle weakness, and functional decline, which negatively affect autonomy, treatment tolerance, and long-term prognosis (5). Resistance training directly targets these sequelae by stimulating neuromuscular adaptations, preserving or increasing lean mass, and improving muscular strength and functional performance. Beyond musculoskeletal benefits, resistance exercise has been linked to favorable effects on systemic inflammation, metabolic health, immune modulation, and psychosocial outcomes, positioning it as a key component of comprehensive exercise prescriptions in oncology (6).