Strength training during chemotherapy may seem counterintuitive to some, but for breast cancer survivor and researcher LaShae Rolle, it became both a personal anchor and a subject of academic inquiry. Her experience sheds light on how individualized, higher-intensity exercise can support physical, mental, and emotional well-being during active cancer treatment. As a pre-doctoral fellow in Prevention Science and Community Health at the University of Miami, Rolle used her dual perspective as both a patient and a scientist to explore this critical intersection of fitness and oncology.

Rolle’s case study, which emerged from her own journey through surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, offers a compelling look at how strength training can be safely tailored to cancer patients. Her story has resonated widely, particularly on social media platforms like Instagram, where she launched “Strong After Cancer” to share her experiences and answer questions from others navigating similar paths. The research she conducted is not only deeply personal but also holds broader implications for how clinicians might approach exercise prescriptions for cancer patients in the future.

One of the central questions Rolle sought to answer was whether continuing elite-level strength training during chemotherapy would help or hinder her treatment outcomes. She discovered that not only was she able to maintain her physical strength, but doing so also had a significant impact on her mental and emotional health. This finding challenges the traditional notion that cancer patients should limit themselves to only low- or moderate-intensity physical activity during treatment.

Rolle’s training followed a powerlifting structure that incorporated cycles of ramping up and deloading. She adjusted the intensity based on her chemotherapy schedule, using the weeks immediately following treatment as recovery periods. This approach allowed her to stay active without overexerting herself. She monitored her exertion levels using a Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale, aiming for a moderate level of six most of the time, and increasing to a nine or ten just before each chemo cycle, when she felt closest to her baseline strength.

The individualized nature of her regimen is a key takeaway. Rolle emphasized that exercise intensity should align with a patient’s baseline fitness level. For someone with a history of powerlifting, higher-intensity workouts may be appropriate, while others may need to start with low-impact activities. Her findings suggest that with proper guidance and monitoring, moderate to high-intensity exercise can be safely integrated into cancer treatment plans, countering the one-size-fits-all approach often seen in clinical settings.

Beyond the physical benefits, Rolle highlighted the profound mental and emotional impact of staying active. A cancer diagnosis often strips patients of their sense of control. Treatment schedules, medical decisions, and physical changes can feel overwhelming and disempowering. For Rolle, strength training became a way to reclaim agency. She described her workouts as a source of normalcy and motivation, helping her to believe in a future beyond her diagnosis. Being able to lift near her maximum weights during chemotherapy was a powerful affirmation that her body remained capable and resilient.

I found this detail striking: the idea that exercise could serve not just as a physical tool, but as a mental lifeline during one of life’s most challenging experiences. Rolle’s story underscores how vital it is to consider the whole person in cancer care, not just the disease.

Rolle hopes that her research will encourage healthcare providers to consider individualized exercise prescriptions alongside traditional treatments. She envisions a future where patients receive tailored fitness plans as part of their care regimen, just like they would receive medication or physical therapy. To support this vision, she included her complete workout regimen in the appendix of her study, offering a framework that could be adapted for others.

Her work contributes to a growing body of evidence supporting the role of exercise in oncology. While more research is needed to establish standardized protocols, Rolle’s case study provides a valuable example of how strength training can be both safe and beneficial during chemotherapy. It also opens the door for future studies to explore how different types and intensities of exercise might be optimized for individual patients based on their treatment plans, fitness histories, and personal preferences.

For patients and survivors alike, the message is clear: exercise is not only possible during cancer treatment, but it can be a powerful component of recovery. Rolle’s journey is a testament to the resilience of the human body and spirit, and her research offers hope and guidance to others facing similar battles.

Read more at curetoday.com