Implementing exercise interventions in pediatric oncology: an expert consensus framework from the FORTEe project - Summary - MDSpire

Implementing exercise interventions in pediatric oncology: an expert consensus framework from the FORTEe project

  • By

  • Marie A. Neu

  • Elias Dreismickenbecker

  • Lena Wypyrsczyk

  • Filippo Spreafico

  • Adriana Balduzzi

  • Barbara Heißerer

  • Hayley Marriott

  • Norbert W. Paul

  • Eila Watson

  • Wilhelm Bloch

  • Martin Kaj Fridh

  • Miriam Götte

  • Lidija Kitanovski

  • Barbara Konda

  • Alejandro Lucia

  • Rodolf Mongondry

  • Katie Rizvi

  • Hanne Bækgaard Larsen

  • Nikolai Bauer

  • Ronja Beller

  • Carmen Fiuza-Luces

  • Gabriele Gauß

  • Mareike Kühn

  • Tommaso P. Moriggi

  • Olivia Pérol

  • Franziska Olivier

  • Domen Ravnik

  • Meta Rovan

  • Elena Santana-Sosa

  • Milica Stefanović

  • Peter Wright

  • William Zardo

  • Francesca Lanfranconi

  • Joachim Wiskemann

  • Joerg Faber

  • July 8, 2026

  • 0 min

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Objective:

To provide practical recommendations for the implementation of exercise as a therapy in pediatric oncology based on expert consensus.

Approach:
  • Study Design: The FORTEe trial is a multicenter, randomized controlled trial investigating the effects of structured exercise interventions in children and adolescents undergoing cancer treatment.
  • Consensus Development: The expert-informed consensus statement presents resource-adapted recommendations derived from a structured multinational trial preparation and implementation process.
Key Findings:
  • The recommendations address human resources, interprofessional role distribution, staff training, medical clearance, monitoring of exercise-related complications, and legal requirements.
  • Exercise therapy is recognized as integral to supportive care in pediatric oncology, yet not widely implemented as standard care across Europe.
  • Existing exercise interventions have shown feasibility and safety, with beneficial effects on physical and psychosocial outcomes.
Interpretation:

The recommendations aim to facilitate the safe and sustainable integration of exercise therapy into routine childhood cancer care, regardless of local resource availability.

Limitations:
  • Access to structured exercise interventions remains inconsistent worldwide, with disparities in resource-constrained settings.
  • Limited implementation of exercise programs in pediatric oncology despite existing knowledge and guidelines.
Conclusion:

These recommendations offer practical, context-specific guidance to support the stepwise implementation of exercise therapy in heterogeneous pediatric oncology settings.

Original Source(s)

Implementing exercise interventions in pediatric oncology: an expert consensus framework from the FORTEe project

  • by Marie A. Neu, Elias Dreismickenbecker, Lena Wypyrsczyk, Filippo Spreafico, Adriana Balduzzi, Barbara Heißerer, Hayley Marriott, Norbert W. Paul, Eila Watson, Wilhelm Bloch, Martin Kaj Fridh, Miriam Götte, Lidija Kitanovski, Barbara Konda, Alejandro Lucia, Rodolf Mongondry, Katie Rizvi, Hanne Bækgaard Larsen, Nikolai Bauer, Ronja Beller, Carmen Fiuza-Luces, Gabriele Gauß, Mareike Kühn, Tommaso P. Moriggi, Olivia Pérol, Franziska Olivier, Domen Ravnik, Meta Rovan, Elena Santana-Sosa, Milica Stefanović, Peter Wright, William Zardo, Francesca Lanfranconi, Joachim Wiskemann, Joerg Faber

  • July 8, 2026

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