Is exercise good for prostate cancer patients?

Exercise has many benefits for prostate cancer patients at any stage of the disease. According to a 2026 journal article, integrating physical activity into clinical care can “optimize physical outcomes, mitigate treatment-related side effects, and enhance the quality of life among prostate cancer survivors.”^[i]

Physical activity is good during a patient’s journey with prostate cancer because it influences tolerance for treatment, return to baseline function, and even attitude and mental health. That’s because exercise improves total body composition including muscle strength, it increases heart and lung capacity, boosts energy and immunity, and allows better sleep. Exercise helps patients recover better and stay healthy.

Exercise also makes an impact on prostate cancer itself. Consistent exercise changes gene expression (at the molecular level) that regulates tumor activity.^[ii]

Dr. Dan Sperling at the Sperling Prostate Center encourages patients to embrace a wellness lifestyle that includes vigorous physical activity.

Is there a type of exercise that is best for prostate cancer patients?

There is no single type of exercise that is universally good for every prostate cancer patient. There are several categories of exercise, each with its own advantages. Just as individual patients require the treatment that is the best match for their disease and lifestyle, exercise choices should be tailored to each individual’s case and ability.

Here are the general exercise categories that are safe and feasible for patients:

• Resistance training (RT)
• Aerobic training (AT), also called cardio or endurance exercise
• Combined resistance/aerobic training (AT_RT)
• High intensity interval training (HIIT).

This blog explains how each type of exercise can help prostate cancer patients.

What is resistance training and how does it help?

Resistance training (strength training, weight training) uses repetitive force to develop strong muscles. The most common forms use free weights or machines, or exercises that use the weight of the body (e.g. push-ups, pull-ups, squats, etc.) The goal is to gradually increase workout in order to avoid injury.

Resistance training helps patient wellness by

• Boosting metabolism (efficient use of fuel)
• Maintaining healthy weight by burning calories when at rest
• Building bone density (especially important for patients on hormone therapy)
• Supports joint function

What is aerobic training and how does it help?

Aerobic training (cardio, endurance) involves sustained rhythmic movement of large muscle groups, e.g., running, jogging, dancing, rowing, using treadmills or elliptical machines, etc. The National Institutes of Health explains how “pumping up” heartrate and breathing strengthen the heart muscle and lungs.

Aerobic exercise helps patient wellness by

• Building and increasing heart health (protects against cardiovascular disease and stroke)
• Improving metabolic function; helps prevent diabetes and high cholesterol
• Maintaining healthy weight
• Reducing fatigue, boosting energy, improving sleep
• Endorphins elevate mood, help relieve stress and anxiety

Note that combining resistance and aerobic workouts has a synergistic effect, increasing the benefits of either by itself. It also seems to increase a sense of satisfaction.

What is high intensity interval exercise and how does it help?

High intensity interval training (HIIT) integrates “slow and steady” and with intense bursts of effort. As the Mayo Clinic puts it, interval training means “alternating short bouts of higher-intensity effort with longer bouts of less-intense activity.” The cycle is repeated several times in a single workout.

HIIT helps patient wellness by

• Making heart and lungs more efficient
• Boosting the body’s energy systems
• Develop lean muscle while losing fat
• Offers the same energy consumption of longer workouts in a shorter time

How do the advantages of these different categories compare?

Based on a review of 54 studies on exercise and prostate cancer, the journal article mentioned at the beginning summarizes the particular advantage of each method for prostate cancer patients as follows:

Resistance training (RT) may be the most beneficial intervention for enhancing muscle strength and aerobic capacity, aerobic training (AT) for reducing body fat, combined aerobic–resistance training (AT_RT) for alleviating fatigue, and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) for improving quality of life.^[iii]

In short, there’s no form of exercise that’s bad for prostate cancer patients, unless it’s too much or an ill-advised mismatch. The authors suggest an individualized exercise program for each patient. This could take many factors into account, things like patient age and general health, type/duration of treatment, lifestyle preferences, etc.

What does the Sperling Prostate Center say about exercise and prostate cancer?

Dr. Dan Sperling is a men’s health advocate. He supports a total lifestyle that not only focuses on a plant-based or plant-forward diet, but also a commitment to robust physical activity. According to national guidelines, “adults need 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity a week. This can also be 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity or an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity. In addition, adults need at least 2 days of muscle-strengthening activity each week.”

Dr. Sperling’s advice is consistent with expert counsel for exercise beginners: start small and progress slowly. If possible, work with a personal trainer or coach who is an exercise physiologist. Be patient, keep expectations reasonable, and don’t give up. If you have prostate cancer, commit to exercise. It can only make your journey better.

Frequently Asked Questions: Exercise for Prostate Cancer Patients

Q: How much should I exercise?

A: National guidelines suggest 150 minutes of moderate physical activity, and at least 2 days a week of muscle-strengthening. If exercise is intensely vigorous, aim for 75 minutes a week.

Q: What’s the best type of exercise for prostate cancer patients?

A: The best type of exercise is a program customized for each patient’s needs. Consideration should be given to patient age and general health, the type of treatment, patient lifestyle and preferences.

Content reviewed by Dr. Dan Sperling, M.D., DABR — updated March 2026.

NOTE: This content is solely for purposes of information and does not substitute for diagnostic or medical advice. Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing pelvic pain, or have any other health concerns or questions of a personal medical nature.

References

[i] Liu J, Li Q, Han Y. The impact of different exercise modes on prostate cancer: a Bayesian network meta-analysis. Sci Rep. 2026 Feb 28.
[ii] Schwappacher R, Schink K, Sologub S, Dieterich W et al. Physical activity and advanced cancer: evidence of exercise-sensitive genes regulating prostate cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis. J Physiol. 2020 Sep;598(18):3871-3889.
[iii] Liu, ibid.

About Dr. Dan Sperling

Dan Sperling, MD, DABR, is a board certified radiologist who is globally recognized as a leader in multiparametric MRI for the detection and diagnosis of a range of disease conditions. As Medical Director of the Sperling Prostate Center, Sperling Medical Group and Sperling Neurosurgery Associates, he and his team are on the leading edge of significant change in medical practice. He is the co-author of the new patient book Redefining Prostate Cancer, and is a contributing author on over 25 published studies. For more information, contact the Sperling Prostate Center.