Fight Back With Fitness 

Program Aims

The Fit Lab’s Fight Back With Fitness program introduces exercise in a safe, supportive and state-of-the-art private facility.

Designed for women diagnosed with breast cancer, regular exercise during and following treatment has shown to improve both physical and emotional health, and overall quality of life. The program introduces exercise in a safe, supportive and state of the art private facility; proudly co-funded by The Fit Lab, Queensland X-Ray and Blush Cancer Care Inc.

Regular exercise during and following cancer treatment has shown to improve both physical and emotional health, and overall quality of life.

What to Expect

The program commences with an initial assessment along with a screening tool to ensure the program is tailored specifically for your needs. We’ll also give you an overview of the larger program plus an introduction to the other participants of the program!

Some of the elements we’ll take a look at in your first week will include:

• Functional Capacity
  – Repeated Sit to Stand

• Body Composition
  – DEXA scan
  – Resting Blood Pressure
  – Waist and Hip Measurements

• Strength Testing
  – Chest Press
  – Seated Row

Working at your own pace, you will be part of three structured and fully-supervised 60-minute sessions giving you guidance and support. Participants will also have access to The Fit Lab’s facilities for a fourth and/or fifth weekly self-paced exercise session which we can help you plan for.

The Benefits

 
Evidence of the beneficial effect of exercise during and after breast cancer treatment is very strong regarding safety of exercise and improvements to aerobic fitness and muscular strength.

Traditionally cancer patients were advised to rest and avoid activity. However, recent evidence suggests exercise is safe along with appropriate screening and prescription. Improvements to aerobic capacity are noted with perception of effort completing these tasks being reduced (i.e. walking, cycling, climbing stairs). Regular strength training can assist with altering current movement patterns, which can assist with decreasing joint and muscle pain.

After treatment, evidence strongly points to the benefits of exercise regarding physical function, with an improved tolerance to complete activities of daily living (i.e. grocery shopping, putting shoes on and off).