The Bizkaia Cancer Association has started up a Physical Exercise service for cancer patients. The service offers a Physical Exercise Programme sponsored by the Spanish Cancer Association, designed and imparted by GaituzSport, the reference facilitator agent for inclusion of the disABLED and/or people with health problems, via physical activity and sport.
This programme is result of networking in conjunction with Mugikon and Centro IKAIKA.
In general terms, the main goal is to improve cancer patients’ quality of life through physical exercise.
Scientific evidence supports the benefits of supervised Physical Exercise in improving quality of life, survival along with greater tolerance of treatments and handling of symptoms in cancer patients.
Prescribed supervised exercise improves the health and quality of life in cancer patients. Exercise routines should be adjusted to each patient’s individual needs, bearing in mind their health and specific medical recommendations.
This programme is in line with the 2018-2030 WHO world action Plan regarding Physical Activity and values of the 2030 Basque Health Plan whose goal is to ensure integrated quality healthcare and foster healthy life habits among the population.
SPECIFIC GOALS:
- Improve physical health, emotional wellbeing and quality of life in cancer patients during the various stages of their illness.
- Help cancer patients resume their social and working life.
- Maintain or improve their general physical condition and corporal composition, cardiovascular capacity, strength and general co-ordination, favouring an independent life.
- Prevent the onset of other illnesses associated with a sedentary life style.
- Attain physical activity levels appropriate for each person.
- Reduce sedentarism, fostering healthy habits and generating a more active population.
METHODOLOGY
- Individualised plan. Assessment – initial functional examination
- Group sessions
- Community integration
- Ongoing improvement
- Final assessment
30 cancer patients will take part in the physical exercise programme divided into 3 groups and doing 3 sessions per week
MONDAY:
Strength training – Using Medx equipment, the most highly valued machines in the physical exercise and rehab sector.
WEDNESDAY:
Metabolic training at Txurdinaga Sports Centre, Bilbao.
FRIDAY:
Aerobic training in open air spaces in Bilbao.
An added value worthy of mention is specialised accompaniment on this programme with subsequent derivation to a community context.
From a functional perspective, this programme will result in an intervention based methodology via an ACTION-RESEARCH process.
The action-research methodology is based on the idea that knowledge is built through practice and critical reflection on the same. This methodology is used in contexts seeking intervention in and improving specific situations, such as a prescribed supervised outpatient physical exercise programme for cancer patients.
NETWORKING
This Programme is the result of the participating agents networking, i.e. the Bizkaia Cancer Association team, intervention team, Programme Co-ordinator, and Team Advisor who have collaborated and co-ordinated efforts to reach an integral common goal.
And, GaituzSport leads the programme to ensure its execution, follow-up, and continuity besides acting as a convergence point to achieve the Programme goals and impact not to mention ensuring its fulfilment.
