Physical exercise for children with cancer

Program Description
At Fundación Aladina, we continue to advance pediatric cancer care by integrating physical exercise as a key component of research and treatment. Our Physical Exercise Program is now part of our broader commitment to innovation within the Research area, where improving quality of life goes hand in hand with scientific progress.

In 2025, the program is implemented across four leading hospitals in Spain, where children and adolescents undergoing cancer treatment participate in structured, supervised exercise activities. These interventions are not only designed to support patients physically and emotionally, but also to generate valuable data that contributes to a better understanding of how movement impacts recovery.

Since 2021, Aladina has been actively involved in the research project “Physical Exercise During Cancer Treatment in Adolescents,” led by Hospital 12 de Octubre and Hospital Niño Jesús in Madrid. Through this initiative, patients follow an exercise plan throughout their treatment, allowing specialists to evaluate improvements in physical capacity, fatigue, body composition, and overall quality of life. In addition, Aladina fully funds a dedicated research professional, reinforcing our commitment to evidence-based care.

Program Impact
This year, 340 young patients have taken part in the program, benefiting from personalized exercise interventions adapted to their medical needs and treatment stages. Alongside them, 25 Aladina Sports Scholarships have supported patient-caregiver pairs, recognizing the importance of emotional and physical support within the family unit during the treatment process.

Beyond individual benefits, every session contributes to ongoing research that is helping reshape how pediatric oncology care is understood and delivered. Physical exercise is proving to be not only a supportive therapy, but also a powerful tool to improve well-being during one of the most challenging moments in a child’s life.

Results and Achievements
The continued development of this program highlights its dual impact: directly improving patients’ quality of life while advancing scientific knowledge in pediatric oncology. By embedding exercise into clinical and research settings, Aladina is helping establish new standards of care that consider both physical and emotional recovery as essential parts of treatment.

Future Initiatives
Looking ahead to 2026, Fundación Aladina will continue strengthening this research-driven approach, expanding both the reach of the program and its scientific impact. Our goal is to further integrate physical exercise into pediatric oncology protocols, ensuring that more children benefit from therapies that are not only effective, but also human-centered and evidence-based.

Acknowledgments
We are deeply grateful to all our donors and supporters. Your commitment makes it possible to drive research forward while improving the daily lives of children with cancer—bringing hope, strength, and better outcomes for the future.