Exercise

Exercise comes naturally to most children. They cycle to school, play ball games with friends. Many children also participate in sports. But when your child has cancer, that can no longer be taken for granted. On this page, you will find information and tips for different diagnoses and various stages of treatment.

The disease, treatment, side effects and hospital visits make it difficult for them to get enough exercise and play sports. Still, it is important that your child stays active, but that can require some adjustment and resourcefulness. If necessary, a (pediatric) physiotherapist can help.

Our Maximum Movement program

The Princess Máxima Center encourages children to get moving and stay active. Throughout the building, there are activities and equipment that invite children to be active, such as bicycles, go-karts, foosball, table tennis, and air hockey. The gym offers activities for different age groups every weekday.

For children who cannot or are not allowed to leave their room, there is a sports kit that helps them stay active in their room. Special events and sports activities are also organized regularly to motivate children, as well as parents, to get and stay active.

Keep moving with ALL

Some children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have difficulty walking at the start of treatment. On this page, we explain why this happens and why it is important to stay active throughout treatment. We also share tips on how to do this.

Stay fit before surgery with Fit4Surgery

Fit4Surgery is a program from the Princess Máxima Center for children with bone cancer. It helps them to stay fit during chemotherapy and go into surgery stronger. On this page, you will find information, workouts, and answers to frequently asked questions.

Moving after surgery with an endoprosthesis

Some children with bone cancer receive an endoprosthesis, an artificial joint. It is important to start moving again after surgery. This helps the body get stronger and adjust to the endoprosthesis. On this page, you will find information and tips to keep moving.

Tests and measurements

The purpose of an exercise test is to measure your child's fitness and how their lungs, heart and muscles function during exercise. The test takes 45-60 minutes.
A mask is placed over your child's nose and mouth, through which they can breathe normally. Your child then starts cycling or walking. Cycling or walking gradually becomes more strenuous, until your child indicates that it is too hard. During the test we measure your child's heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen level in the blood.
The purpose of a resting metabolic rate measurement is to measure how much energy the body burns while at rest, for example to breathe, to keep the body's temperature up and to digest food. Based on the result of the measurement, the dietitian calculates how much energy your child needs per day. The measurement takes about 30 minutes.
Your child lies on an examination table with a clear plastic hood over their head in which the air your child exhales is collected and measured. Fresh air flows through the hood, so your child can breathe normally. During the measurement, your child must lie still and not talk. Your child may become a bit hot and sleepy.

Contact

088 9727272 sport_en_bewegingscentrum@prinsesmaximacentrum.nl