Research tells us that exercise is a great way to “>boost immunity. With this in mind, a small study published in the Journal of Sport and Health Science found some promising results in a group of people with esophageal cancer who exercised during chemotherapy.

Half of the participants were given a mix of cardiovascular and strength-training exercises to complete over the course of 16 weeks. The other half of the group received regular, standard care without exercise programs.

The patients who maintained the exercise program proved to have more cancer-fighting immune cells (CD8+T cells and natural killer cells) in their tumors.

They also had more tertiary lymphoid structures. Normally, the immune system works out of larger centers like the lymph nodes, but these “hubs” are like command centers that set themselves up when and where danger, like a growing tumor, is detected. These are important because they set up more localized attacks.

Though the tumors didn’t shrink in size and survival rates did not alter, results are promising. The scientists say further research is required to see whether such an immune activation will lead to enhanced longer-term outcomes.

In the interim, staying active during chemotherapy might assist your body in rallying its internal troops.

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