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Exercise on ADT: the best-proven way to fight side effects

Reviewed October 2026

If there’s one thing to take from the research on ADT, it’s this: exercise helps.

What the trials found

• Muscle, strength and fatigue. Men on ADT who did 12 weeks of resistance plus aerobic exercise gained lean muscle, got stronger and moved better. They also had less fatigue than men on usual care, with no exercise-related adverse events (Galvão et al., J Clin Oncol 2010).
• Any exercise beats none for fatigue. In a year-long trial of 163 men, all exercise types reduced fatigue and boosted vitality. The most tired men improved the most (Taaffe et al., Eur Urol 2017).
• Bones. Impact loading (such as jumping or skipping, if safe for you) plus resistance training helped preserve spine bone density (Newton et al., MSSE 2019).
• Start early. Starting exercise when ADT starts preserved spine bone density and muscle better than waiting six months (Taaffe et al., BJU Int 2019).
• Quality of life at scale. In the UK STAMINA trial (700 men), a 12-month supervised exercise and lifestyle program improved quality of life and fatigue compared with usual care (Lancet Oncology 2026).

How much?

A common target (Exercise Right/ESSA):

• Resistance training 2–3 times a week, working the major muscle groups.
• Building up to 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking, cycling or swimming.
• Start low and build gradually.

Start safely

• Check with your team first, especially if you have cancer in the bones, heart or lung problems, joint issues or a history of falls. Impact exercise isn’t right for everyone.
• Consider an exercise professional who works with people with cancer, such as an accredited exercise physiologist (Australia), a cancer exercise specialist, or a physiotherapist.
  • In Australia, a GP chronic disease management plan may give you Medicare-subsidised sessions (PCFA).
  • In the UK and US, ask your cancer nurse or team about local programs.
• Stop and seek advice if you get chest pain, unusual breathlessness, dizziness or new bone pain.