Perception of oncologists on the practice of physical activity by children and adolescents during cancer treatment

• Published in: Revista brasileira de cineantropometria & desempenho humano 2024, Vol.26
• Main Authors: Espírito Santo, Bárbara Carlin de Ramos do, Cardoso, Licelli Amante, Trajano, Gabriel Siqueira, Freitas, Cintia de la Rocha
• Format: Article
• Language: eng ; por
• Subjects: SPORT SCIENCES
• ISSN: 1415-8426; 1980-0037; 1980-0037
• DOI: 10.1590/1980-0037.2024v26e92415

ABSTRACT Currently, the evidence on the effectiveness of physical exercise as a complement to cancer treatment is unquestionable. Studies demonstrate that the persuasive role of the oncologist contributes significantly to patient adherence to physical activity (PA) practice. However, in the field of pediatric and adolescent oncology, as well as in defining the role of physical education professionals (PEPs) within the multidisciplinary team, further research is still required. The objective of this work was to establish the opinion of oncologists on the presence and relevance of PEFs as members of the multidisciplinary team in the oncological treatment of children and adolescents. All the oncologists (n=7) on the clinical staff of a public hospital in Florianópolis/SC participated in this research. Through an online questionnaire, professionals answered 21 questions about their opinion of the importance of PA and PEFs during cancer treatment. A frequency analysis of the responses was performed. In total, 100% of physicians (n=7) declared that they did not have a PEF on their team. However, 100% (n=7) of the doctors answered that they consider the performance of PEFs as relevant. Regarding the importance of implementing a PA program (remote or face-to-face) in the hospital environment, for patients undergoing treatment, 100% (n=7) of physicians classified this implementation as very relevant. Although the benefits of PA and physical exercise are consolidated in the literature as effective in the oncological treatment of children and adolescents, and considered relevant by the medical team, the opening for PEFs to work together with a multidisciplinary team does not yet exist. RESUMO Atualmente, são inquestionáveis as evidências sobre a efetividade do exercício físico como complemento do tratamento oncológico. Estudos apontam que o papel persuasivo do oncologista contribui significativamente para a adesão à prática de atividade física (AF) pelo paciente. Entretanto, com relação à oncologia infantojuvenil, assim como a atuação do profissional de educação física (PEF) junto da equipe multidisciplinar, ainda são necessários mais estudos. O objetivo deste trabalho é conhecer o posicionamento dos médicos oncologistas em relação à presença e relevância do PEF como integrante da equipe multidisciplinar no tratamento oncológico infantojuvenil. Participaram desta pesquisa todos os médicos oncologistas (n=7), pertencentes ao quadro clínico de um hospital Público de Fl