Advancing the Field of Pediatric Exercise Oncology: Research and Innovation Needs
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Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
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Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
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Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
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School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
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Department of Nursing Science, University of Turku, 20520 Turku, Finland
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Clinic for Pediatrics III, Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
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Department of Sport and Health Sciences, Institute of Preventive Pediatrics, Technical University of Munich (TUM), 80804 Munich, Germany
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Kinderklinik München Schwabing, TUM School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics and Children’s Cancer Research Center, TUM, 80992 Munich, Germany
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Rehabilitation Service, Public Health and Pediatric Sciences Department, A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza—Regina Margherita Children’s Hospital, 10126 Turin, Italy
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Sport and Exercise Center, Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Department of Pediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
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Section of Oncology/Bone Marrow Transplant, Alberta Children’s Hospital, Calgary, AB T3B 6A8, Canada
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Department of Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
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Department of Psychosocial Resources, Tom Baker Cancer Centre, Calgary, AB T2N 4N2, Canada
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Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Curr. Oncol. 2021, 28(1), 619-629; https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol28010061
Received: 23 December 2020 / Accepted: 23 December 2020 / Published: 20 January 2021
The field of pediatric exercise oncology explores the relationships between physical activity (PA), including exercise, and a range of outcomes among children and adolescents affected by cancer. Although PA is safe and beneficial for this population, several important gaps in knowledge and practice remain. In this article, we describe research and innovation needs that were developed with a team of international experts and relevant literature, a series of online surveys, and an in-person meeting. Addressing these needs will contribute valuable knowledge and practice outputs to advance this field, ultimately enabling a greater number of children and adolescents affected by cancer to realize the benefits of moving more.