Cardiorespiratory fitness in survivors of childhood cancer

The 5-year survival rate of childhood cancer is increasing to 85%. Despite this improvement, the ever-growing group of childhood cancer survivors is at risk of developing long-term side effects with an enormous impact on quality of life. A decrease in cardiorespiratory fitness is one of the most important and common side effects and has been linked to an increased risk of mortality and comorbidity. However, little is known about the underlying mechanisms of this decline in fitness and there is conflicting evidence about the effectiveness of exercise to improve cardiorespiratory fitness. Therefore, the aim of this project is to investigate the limiting factors of cardiorespiratory fitness in childhood cancer survivors, including heart function, muscle strength and oxygenation, as well as possible associations with lifestyle, psychosocial and demographic factors. In addition, we will develop and test tailor-made physical activity programs to improve cardiorespiratory fitness. The ultimate goal of this innovative proposal is to equip all individual childhood cancer survivors with personalized tools to improve their cardiorespiratory fitness, which in turn can maximize their physical and mental well-being and overall quality of life.