EXercise for Cancer to Enhance Living Well
EXercise for Cancer to Enhance Living Well (EXCEL) was a research study, providing exercise programs to rural and remote individuals living with and beyond cancer, across Canada. EXCEL has stopped recruitment, but our lab is now offering a new study called the Thrive Cancer Exercise Program. It offers the same 12-week program, delivered by qualified exercise professionals, both online and in-person. To learn more and register, please email thrive@ucalgary.ca or call us at 403-210-8482.
What is EXCEL?
In this video, learn what the EXCEL program is all about. Watch now!
About the program
The EXCEL Study provided a free 8-12-week exercise program, for people undergoing or recovering from cancer treatment, living in rural and remote regions across Canada. This evidence-based program was taught by fitness professionals trained in exercise oncology.
Classes were delivered online through a secure video-conferencing platform. Where possible, the programs were in-person. These group classes run for 60 minutes, twice a week for 8-12 weeks. They were offered three times a year: January, April, and September.
The programs focused on:
- cardiovascular
- resistance training
- balance
- stretching
In addition to the exercise program, instructors reviewed education topics on behaviour change and provided you with tools to continue staying active, even after the classes end.
Benefits of Exercise
Exercise has many physical and psychological benefits for those living with and beyond cancer:
- Decreases fatigue
- Improves physical function
- Improves ability to do daily activities
- Boosts mood and energy
- Enhances sleep and recovery
- Increases social and emotional wellbeing
To hear more about the benefits, read some participant testimonials.
Eligibility to Participate
- Have/had a cancer diagnosis
- 18+ years old and able to consent in English
- Able to participate in mild/moderate physical activity
- Currently in pre-cancer/cancer treatment, or within 3 years of completing treatment*
*If you are still experiencing cancer or treatment related side-effects, beyond 3 years post-treatment, please get in touch with us!
Assessments
To evaluate the study's effectiveness, participants completed a fitness assessment before and after the exercise program. Each assessment would take approximately 30 minutes and included:
- Medical history and demographic information
- 6-minute walk test or 2-minute step test to assess aerobic fitness
- Muscular endurance tests
- Core and shoulder flexibility
- A standing balance test
- Height and weight measurements
Participants were asked to complete questionnaires to assess individual symptoms, quality of life, and physical activity levels. Questionnaires were completed before the program, after the program, at 24 weeks, at one year and annually for up to five years.
If you are interested in joining a cancer exercise study, please check out the Thrive Cancer Exercise Program
Exercise Professionals
Our goal was to facilitate the development of referral networks between healthcare providers and local exercise professionals, trained to delivering exercise oncology programs. By building partnerships in rural communities, EXCEL facilitated patient transition from clinical care to the EXCEL program in their region.
Our training pathway provided specialized training exercise professionals to confidently work with people impacted by cancer.
If you are a fitness professional and interested in being involved in our current research projects, please reach out to us at wellnesslab@ucalgary.ca to express your interest.
Our Funders
EXCEL was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Canadian Cancer Society, and the Alberta Cancer Foundation. We are grateful for their support to allow our program to reach over 1000 Canadians living with and beyond cancer.
Resources
Publications
Have a question? Interested in joining us?
- Telephone: 403-210-8482
- Email: wellnesslab@ucalgary.ca
Message to our website visitors
Material on this website has been designed for information purposes only. It should not be used in place of medical advice, instruction, and/or treatment. If you have specific questions, please consult your doctor or an appropriate health care professional.