Exploring the health benefits of outdoor exercise for cancer survivors: a systematic review of more than 700 individuals
Abstract Background 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...
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2025-05-01
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| Series: | Systematic Reviews |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-025-02834-y |
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| author | Sonia Ortega-Gómez Luca Di Bartolo Joanna Velissari Beatriz Gomes Susanna Pusa Joshua Thaller Sofia Papakonstantinou Musa Kirkar Ennio Iannitto Nádia Moura Carmen Nogueira Jesús Gustavo Ponce-González Rebecca Baxter Paula Tavares Apostolos Vantarakis Antonino Bianco Ana Carbonell-Baeza David Jiménez-Pavón the OACCUs consortium |
| author_facet | Sonia Ortega-Gómez Luca Di Bartolo Joanna Velissari Beatriz Gomes Susanna Pusa Joshua Thaller Sofia Papakonstantinou Musa Kirkar Ennio Iannitto Nádia Moura Carmen Nogueira Jesús Gustavo Ponce-González Rebecca Baxter Paula Tavares Apostolos Vantarakis Antonino Bianco Ana Carbonell-Baeza David Jiménez-Pavón the OACCUs consortium |
| author_sort | Sonia Ortega-Gómez |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background 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. Systematic review registration PROSPERO CRD42024545392. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-dd4d4dc6fe154227a36a7dcb86c23a5f |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2046-4053 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Systematic Reviews |
| spelling | doaj-art-dd4d4dc6fe154227a36a7dcb86c23a5f2025-08-20T03:53:11ZengBMCSystematic Reviews2046-40532025-05-0114111710.1186/s13643-025-02834-yExploring the health benefits of outdoor exercise for cancer survivors: a systematic review of more than 700 individualsSonia Ortega-Gómez0Luca Di Bartolo1Joanna Velissari2Beatriz Gomes3Susanna Pusa4Joshua Thaller5Sofia Papakonstantinou6Musa Kirkar7Ennio Iannitto8Nádia Moura9Carmen Nogueira10Jesús Gustavo Ponce-González11Rebecca Baxter12Paula Tavares13Apostolos Vantarakis14Antonino Bianco15Ana Carbonell-Baeza16David Jiménez-Pavón17the OACCUs consortiumMOVE-IT Research Group, Department of Physical Education, Faculty of Education Sciences, Instituto de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica de Cádiz (INiBICA), Universidad de CádizSport and Exercise Sciences Research Unit, Department of Psychology, Educational Sciences and Human Movement, University of PalermoDepartment of Public Health, Medical School, University of PatrasCentre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of CoimbraDepartment of Nursing, Umeå UniversityDepartment of Health Consulting, Research and Science, Outdoor Against CancerCreative Thinking Development — CRE.THI.DEVCEIPES ETSLega Italiana per la lotta Contro i Tumori (LILT Palermo)Portuguese Cancer League, Centre BranchInnovation & Development Unit, Unidade Local de Saúde de CoimbraExphy Research Group, Department of Physical Education, Instituto de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica de Cádiz (INiBICA), Universidad de CádizDepartment of Nursing, Umeå UniversityCentre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of CoimbraDepartment of Public Health, Medical School, University of PatrasSport and Exercise Sciences Research Unit, Department of Psychology, Educational Sciences and Human Movement, University of PalermoMOVE-IT Research Group, Department of Physical Education, Faculty of Education Sciences, Instituto de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica de Cádiz (INiBICA), Universidad de CádizMOVE-IT Research Group, Department of Physical Education, Faculty of Education Sciences, Instituto de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica de Cádiz (INiBICA), Universidad de CádizAbstract Background 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. Systematic review registration PROSPERO CRD42024545392.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-025-02834-yExercise therapyQuality of lifeSurvivorshipMental health |
| spellingShingle | Sonia Ortega-Gómez Luca Di Bartolo Joanna Velissari Beatriz Gomes Susanna Pusa Joshua Thaller Sofia Papakonstantinou Musa Kirkar Ennio Iannitto Nádia Moura Carmen Nogueira Jesús Gustavo Ponce-González Rebecca Baxter Paula Tavares Apostolos Vantarakis Antonino Bianco Ana Carbonell-Baeza David Jiménez-Pavón the OACCUs consortium Exploring the health benefits of outdoor exercise for cancer survivors: a systematic review of more than 700 individuals Systematic Reviews Exercise therapy Quality of life Survivorship Mental health |
| title | Exploring the health benefits of outdoor exercise for cancer survivors: a systematic review of more than 700 individuals |
| title_full | Exploring the health benefits of outdoor exercise for cancer survivors: a systematic review of more than 700 individuals |
| title_fullStr | Exploring the health benefits of outdoor exercise for cancer survivors: a systematic review of more than 700 individuals |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploring the health benefits of outdoor exercise for cancer survivors: a systematic review of more than 700 individuals |
| title_short | Exploring the health benefits of outdoor exercise for cancer survivors: a systematic review of more than 700 individuals |
| title_sort | exploring the health benefits of outdoor exercise for cancer survivors a systematic review of more than 700 individuals |
| topic | Exercise therapy Quality of life Survivorship Mental health |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-025-02834-y |
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