RT journal article
T1 Exploring the health benefits of outdoor exercise for cancer survivors: a systematic review of more than 700 individuals
A1 Ortega Gómez, Sonia
A1 Di Bartolo, Luca
A1 Velissari, Joanna
A1 Gomes, Beatriz
A1 Pusa, Susanna
A1 Thaller, Joshua
A1 Papakonstantinou, Sofia
A1 Kirkar, Musa
A1 Iannitto, Ennio
A1 Moura, Nádia
A1 Nogueira, Carmen
A1 Ponce González, Jesús Gustavo
A1 Baxter, Rebecca
A1 Tavares, Paula
A1 Vantarakis, Apostolos
A1 Bianco, Antonino
A1 Carbonell Baeza, Ana
A1 Jiménez Pavón, David
A2 Didáctica de la Educación FísicaPlástica y Musical
K1 Exercise therapy
K1 Mental health
K1 Quality of life
K1 Survivorship
AB Cancer’s rising incidence and growing survivor population underscore the need for strategies to enhance health and quality of life. Outdoor physical activity (PA) settings may provide unique benefits, yet evidence in this context is scarce. This systematic review aims to evaluate the impact of outdoor PA and exercise interventions on the health and well-being of cancer survivors. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and PsycINFO databases from their inception until April 23, 2024. Studies included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs involving outdoor PA or exercise interventions for cancer survivors. The search strategy adhered to PRISMA guidelines, and the quality of studies was assessed using the PEDro scale. Results: Twelve studies involving 712 cancer survivors were included, comprising 7 RCTs and 5 non-RCTs. Four studies compared outdoor exercise to indoor exercise instead of a usual care control group, and one used a crossover design. The interventions varied in frequency, intensity, time, and type, with Nordic walking and walking being the most common. Key findings indicated significant improvements in mental health, PA levels, muscular fitness, body composition, and exercise motivation. However, the impact on vital signs and sleep quality was inconclusive due to the limited number of studies and variability in interventions. Conclusions: Outdoor PA, including structured exercise interventions, substantially benefits cancer survivors, particularly in enhancing mental health and physical fitness. Despite the promising findings, further research is needed to explore long-term effects, the benefits for different cancer types and age groups, and the underlying mechanisms of these interventions. Health practitioners should consider incorporating outdoor activities into cancer rehabilitation programs.
PB BioMed Central Ltd
SN 2046-4053
YR 2025
FD 2025
LK http://hdl.handle.net/10498/38640
UL http://hdl.handle.net/10498/38640
LA eng
DS Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Cádiz
RD 21-sep-2026