This
literature review examines the mechanisms of how exercise, specifically in the
form of resistance training, may lead to pain relief in the cancer population.
Primary data from three different cancer populations: breast, prostate, and lung, will be examined. A number of experimental studies
have been conducted to confirm the effectiveness of resistance training on pain
relief as well as the biochemical pathways that relate to this process. In this
review, we will examine 5 randomized controlled trials. For the purposes of
this review, pain is defined as physical suffering or discomfort associated
with illness. Pain is the body’s natural signal, bringing attention to damage
that has been sustained by tissues. However, chronic pain is common in the
cancer population, and often serves no good purpose but instead will negatively
impact both physical and mental health. The three types of pain: nociceptive,
neuropathic, and inflammatory pathways have been investigated, and the
knowledge of pain mechanisms allows for the understanding of how it is
associated with pain. The purpose of this exploratory literature review is to
give insight on how to maximize pain-relieving effects of resistance training.
Research has indicated that resistance training modulates pain pathways by
upregulating the release of pain-relieving substances including beta-endorphins,
anti-inflammatory
cytokines, and endocannabinoids. Understanding of the benefits of resistance
training may be useful in relieving cancer pain, and reproducing effects of
pain-relieving strategies while minimizing the symptoms related to cancer and
its treatment.
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