How should I start becoming more physically active?

Always start gradually. You should not exercise beyond 65 percent of you maximum heart rate during your treatment, and then limit your exercise to less than 80 percent of your maximum heart rate in the six months following treatment. To take your heart rate count how many you’re your heart beats over 15 seconds and multiply it by four to work out how many beats per minute. Use the table below to calculate your maximum heart rate.

Alternatively, to work out your maximum heart rate subtract your age from 220. Then to work out 65% of your heart rate multiply the number you came up with (220-age) by 0.65. To work out 85% of your maximum heart rate you would multiply this number by 0.85.

 

Age	220-age	Heart Rate 65%	Heart Rate 85%
30	190	124	162
35	185	120	157
40	180	117	153
45	175	114	149
50	170	111	145
55	165	107	140
60	160	104	136
65	155	101	131
70	150	98	128

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some women who are having chemotherapy can experience a short term drop in your blood cell count, causing anaemia, decreased ability by the body to fight infections. A reduced blood count can also reduce the bloods clotting ability allowing bruising and bleeding to occur easily. Therefore during chemotherapy it is important to exercise gently, you may also prefer to avoid places where the risk of infection is increased such as public swimming pools. If you experience any of the following during exercise you should see your doctor: irregular or very high pulse, dizziness, weakness, sudden shortness of breath, or extreme fatigue.  

You may find that there is a certain time of the day you feel more energetic, especially during your treatment. If so try to plan your activity during this time and rest at other times when you feel tired.

 

Last Updated on Monday, 01 February 2010 14:00