Exercise Oncology Lab

The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of a 12-week intervention (Fitbit + behvioural counselling) vs. Fitbit-only control group in reducing sedentary behaviour among prostate cancer survivors.

This study is designed to examine the relationship between exercise and cognitive function before and after chemotherapy for breast cancer. Understanding the role of physical activity as it relates to cognitive problems will help us to develop physical activity programs to reduce these cognitive defecits in the long term.

The purpose of this study is to examine the association between physical fitness and cognitive function in metastatic kidney cancer survivors receiving immunotherapy to develop tailored physical activity programs.

Natalie Cuda (MSc. candidate) presents her research on 'Changes in Physical Activity and Well Being among Cancer Survivors During the COVID-19 Pandemic' at the International Society of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity (ISBNPA) Annual Meeting in Phoenix, Arizona.

Denise Bastas (undergraduate student) presents her research presentation on 'Physical Activity Attitudes and Counselling Practices in Oncology Healthcare Providers Working with Kidney Cancer Survivors' at the Eastern Canada Sport and Exercise Psychology Symposium Annual Meeting in March 2019 in Vaughan, Ontario.

Alexis Whitehorn (MSc. candidate) presents her research poster on ‘Motivational Outcomes of a Community-Based Program to Increase Physical Activity in Breast Cancer Survivors’ at the Society of Behavioral Medicine's 40th Annual Meeting in March 2019 in Washington, D.C. 

Ally Tabaczynski (MSc. candidate) presents her research poster on ‘Demographic, Medical, Social-Cognitive, and Environmental Correlates of Meeting Strength Training Guidelines in Kidney Cancer Survivors’ at the Canadian Society for Psychomotor Learning and Sport Psychology Annual Conference in October 2018 in Toronto, Ontario.

Ally Tabaczynski (MSc. candidate) presents her research poster on ‘Reallocation of Time Spent in Sleep, Activity and Sedentary Behaviour: Associations on Quality of Life in Kidney Cancer Survivors’ at the Society of Behavioral Medicine's 39th Annual Meeting in April in New Orleans, LA.

Nutrition and Physical Activity Guidelines for Cancer Survivors by the American Cancer Society (ACS)

Physical Activity Guidelines for Cancer Survivors by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)

American Institute for Cancer Research’s (AICR) Guidelines For Cancer Survivors

Exercise for People with Cancer by Cancer Care Ontario

Cancer Prevention Recommendations from the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF)

Get Active, Sit Less! Exercise Guidebook for Kidney Cancer Survivors© in PDF format. This guide book is designed to help kidney cancer survivors increase their physical activity and reduce their sitting time. Download document with this link: Kidney Cancer Guidebook (English) or Kidney Cancer Guidebook (French)

Researchers and practitioners wishing to use this guidebook for research or practice-related purposes, please contact Dr. Linda Trinh: linda.trinh@utoronto.ca

There is no need to contact Dr. Trinh if you are downloading the book for your personal use.

Please contact the Exercise Oncology lab at exercise.oncology@utoronto.ca or (416) 946-5856 if interested in participating in the current studies.

The Exercise Oncology Lab is currently recruiting breast cancer survivors between 18-65 years old who are scheduled to receive adjuvent chemotherapy to participate in a study investigating exercise and cognitive function. 

The Exercise Oncology Lab is currently recruiting metastatic kidney cancer survivors (aged 18+) to participate in a study investigating the relationship between exercise cognitive function.

The Exercise Oncology Lab is currently recruiting prostate cancer survivors (aged 18+) to participate in a 12-week program focused on moving more and sitting less. Watch the iSTRIDE video and view the flyer below for more information.

Emma Tung is a researcher in sports and clinical biomechanics. She completed her Master's at the University of Waterloo in Biomechanics and her research looked at using muscle quality, and physical capacity indicators to measure frailty in older adults. For the past two years, Emma worked for the Texas Rangers MLB organization where she led research activities to improve player performance. Now, as a Research Officer for the EOL, Emma is excited to coordinate and organize current and future studies looking at how specific exercise and behavioural interventions affect cancer survivorship and quality of life.

Hui is an emerging cancer rehabilitation researcher, with leadership in the field of prostate cancer prevention through exercise-supportive adjuvant therapy. His work combines quantitative and qualitative methodologies to bridge public health with men's health, driving forward effective prostate cancer research initiatives. He has previously delved into the supportive care needs of men with prostate cancer and pioneered a novel healthy ageing model for men by examining the factors that shape their supportive care needs and healthy ageing capabilities. Hui's interests are across interdisciplinary areas, including public health, exercise science, health rehabilitation, translational health, men's health, and cancer survivorship research.

Allyson (Ally) Tabaczynski is a PhD Candidate in the Exercise Oncology Lab at the University of Toronto. Her research interests include physical activity behaviour change in those living with and beyond cancer. She is interested in understanding the factors leading to physical activity adoption and maintenance. Her work is guided by behavioural theory to develop evidence-based interventions to aid cancer survivors in making lasting physical activity behaviour change. Ally's research recognizes social environment to be a critical component for behaviour change, and therefore seeks to mobilize survivors' natural and peer support networks for changing physical activity behaviour.

Alexis Whitehorn graduated from the University of Toronto with a Master of Science in Kinesiology and previously from  the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology in 2018. She is currently working in the Exercise Oncology Lab as a first year PhD student at the University of Toronto. Her research interest involves home-based functional fitness testing with cancer survivors. Alexis is committed to owning her own personal training studio in the future. She plans to motivate clients to become physically active and maintain a healthier lifestyle. 

Golnaz Ghazinour is a second year Master's student working in the Exercise Oncology Lab at the University of Toronto. She graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology and Physical Education. Golnaz is interested in investigating the role of sedentary behaviour in cognitive and physical function of older breast cancer survivors post-treatment. She hopes to use her findings to develop effective physical activity interventions to reduce sedentary behaviour and improve the well-being of cancer survivors.

 Michelle Ha is a recent graduate from the University of Toronto holding an Honours Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience. She is currently working in the Exercise Oncology Lab as a research assistant and is interested in the impact of reducing sedentary behaviour on cognition and cardiovascular health. Michelle hopes to minimize comorbidity incidence and increase quality of life in cancer survivors by encouraging sustainable lifestyle changes.

Sarah O’Rourke is a first year master's student working in the Exercise Oncology Lab at the University of Toronto. She graduated from Western University with a Bachelor of Arts in Kinesiology. Sarah is interested in the role of resistance training in cognitive and physical function of prostate cancer survivors. She hopes to use her findings to develop effective exercise interventions to improve quality of life and health outcomes of cancer survivors. 

Sofia is a research assistant at the Exercise Oncology Lab, bringing clinical expertise as a Resident Physiotherapist based in Toronto. She earned her undergraduate Honours Bachelor's in Science from the University of Guelph before pursuing her Master's of Science in Physical Therapy at Queen's University. Sofia's passion for health promotion and behavior change underscores her commitment to empowering individuals to achieve their best lives. Her work in the lab aligns with her mission to advance knowledge and practices that enhance quality of life, particularly in the context of oncology and exercise science. Through her research and clinical experience, Sofia is dedicated to supporting individuals in leading fulfilling and meaningful lives.

 Lamisa Syed is a reseach assistant working in the Exercise Oncology Lab at the University of Toronto. She graduated from McMaster University with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and a minor in psychology. Her research interests in the lab are how to explore cancer survivors' quality of life and psychosocial factors can impact their physical activity levels and sedentary behaviour. In the future, Lamisa hopes to work with cancer survivors to help achieve their physical activity and functional goals with adaptable and evidence-based solutions.

Jada Roach is a recent graduate with a Bachelors of Kinesiology and a current first-year medical student at the University of Toronto. She is currently working in the Exercise Oncology lab as a research assistant. She is passionate about promoting the benefits of exercise for people of all walks of life and is specifically interested in how having an exercise identity impacts behaviour in cancer survivors.

Christy is a fourth-year undergraduate student at the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto, and she is currently working as a research assistant at the EOL. Christy's research interest lies in exploring the role of physical activity in alleviating treatment-related side effects in cancer survivors. In the future, she aspires to be part of a multidisciplinary team in cancer care, where she can collaborate with cancer survivors and patients to minimize the disease's impact and improve their overall well-being.