Building the future of exercise oncology: current status of international workforce development and integration into standard cancer care.

Abstract

The complex requirements of people with cancer can impact the provision of safe, effective, evidence-based exercise prescription. Consequently, a range of essential competencies are required from the exercise oncology workforce. There is a global need for a standardized approach to the development of this workforce. By defining, standardizing, and training the workforce in essential competencies, this will enable various professionals to safely and effectively screen, access, design, and deliver appropriate exercise programs. Therefore, this is also a call for a global collaboration on the development of the exercise oncology workforce with special attention to assisting low- or middle-income countries with their increasing cancer burden and unique challenges, which may require unique context-specific strategies. The building of an appropriate internationally standardized workforce is essential in the provision of physical activity and exercise options as part of standard cancer care.