Exercise and Sports for Chronic Diseases

A special issue of Clinics and Practice (ISSN 2039-7283).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2026 | Viewed by 789

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue explores the significant role that physical activity, physical exercise, and sport play in the prevention, management, and rehabilitation of chronic diseases. With the rising global burden of non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and certain cancers, lifestyle interventions have become critical components of healthcare. Regular physical activity and structured exercise programs can improve physical function, enhance mental well-being, and reduce disease symptoms and progression. Additionally, sport participation offers psychosocial benefits and promotes long-term adherence to active lifestyles. This discussion highlights evidence-based practices and mechanisms through which physical movement contributes to better health outcomes in chronic disease management, advocating for its integration into clinical and community health strategies.

Dr. Giacomo Farì
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • exercise
  • physical activity
  • strength
  • fatigue
  • chronic
  • sport

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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14 pages, 1188 KB  
Systematic Review
The Effects of Physical Exercise on Depression and Anxiety in Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review
by Giacomo Farì, Annatonia Fai, Francesco Quarta, Morena Pitruzzella, Cristiano Sconza, Matteo Luigi Giuseppe Leoni, Giustino Varrassi, Marco Filipponi, Giuseppe Rollo, Alessio Baricich and Andrea Bernetti
Clin. Pract. 2025, 15(10), 180; https://doi.org/10.3390/clinpract15100180 - 28 Sep 2025
Viewed by 577
Abstract
Background: Depression affects around 280 million people globally and is one of the main causes of disability. Among people with cancer, depression and anxiety affect 20–25%, significantly reducing quality of life, adherence to treatments, and survival. Despite the availability of pharmacological and [...] Read more.
Background: Depression affects around 280 million people globally and is one of the main causes of disability. Among people with cancer, depression and anxiety affect 20–25%, significantly reducing quality of life, adherence to treatments, and survival. Despite the availability of pharmacological and psychological treatments, their application can be limited by side effects, accessibility, and costs—especially in low- and middle-income countries. Physical exercise is emerging as a valuable complementary strategy, improving both physical and mental well-being. Nevertheless, structured exercise programs are still rarely implemented in oncology. This review aims to provide evidence-based recommendations for integrating physical activity into mental health support for people with cancer. Methods: This review includes six randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating physical exercise interventions for depression and anxiety in people with cancer aged over 18 years. Included studies compared exercise interventions to control or standard care and reported outcomes related to psychological well-being and adverse effects. Exclusion criteria included non-original studies, non-English articles, and works not focused on exercise. The search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Library using MeSH terms and Boolean operators. The review protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42025637522). Results: Exercise interventions—such as aerobic, resistance, and mind–body practices—proved effective and feasible across cancer types. Benefits were seen in both psychological and physical outcomes. However, variations in protocols and outcome measures, as well as a lack of long-term data, limit generalizability. Conclusions: Personalized exercise programs can significantly reduce depression and anxiety in people with cancer. Standardized core methods, long-term research, and systemic support are needed to integrate exercise into routine oncology care. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exercise and Sports for Chronic Diseases)
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