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Immune, Endocrine, and Soluble Factor Interactions During Aerobic Exercise in Cancer Survivors

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Endocrinology of Physical Activity and Sport

Part of the book series: Contemporary Endocrinology ((COE))

Abstract

Aerobic exercise impacts multiple cellular immune system components, hormones, and pro- and anti-inflammatory soluble factors. The purpose of this chapter is to (1) briefly describe the role of aerobic exercise as an intervention for improving function in cancer survivors; (2) provide a comprehensive review of the impact of aerobic exercise on cellular immune system function in cancer survivors; and (3) discuss underlying endocrine and soluble factor mechanisms that may be associated with these cellular immune responses. In general, individuals with and without a history of cancer respond similarly to acute aerobic exercise, with changes in adrenal hormones and some cytokines potentially underlying exercise and recovery patterns of cellular immune parameters. The effects of aerobic exercise training on resting immune function, as well as relationships between exercise intervention-induced alterations in cellular immune parameters, hormones, and soluble factors, are less clear. Aerobic exercise continues to be a valuable clinical tool for improving quality of life in cancer survivors. Additional understanding of exercise-induced immune, endocrine, and soluble factor responses is necessary for creating more individualized exercise prescriptions that aim to improve anticancer defense, decrease cancer treatment-related side effects, and prolong disease-free survival.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Elon University, Physical Therapy Education, Elon, NC, USA

    Elizabeth S. Evans

  2. Department of Exercise & Sport Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA

    Erik D. Hanson

  3. Department of Exercise & Sport Science, and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA

    Claudio L. Battaglini

Authors
  1. Elizabeth S. Evans
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  2. Erik D. Hanson
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  3. Claudio L. Battaglini
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Correspondence to Elizabeth S. Evans .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Exercise & Sport Science, Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA

    Anthony C. Hackney

  2. Heidi Rothberg Sport Medicine Center, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel

    Naama W. Constantini

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Evans, E.S., Hanson, E.D., Battaglini, C.L. (2020). Immune, Endocrine, and Soluble Factor Interactions During Aerobic Exercise in Cancer Survivors. In: Hackney, A., Constantini, N. (eds) Endocrinology of Physical Activity and Sport. Contemporary Endocrinology. Humana, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-33376-8_24

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-33376-8_24

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