Exercising in isolation? The role of telehealth in exercise oncology during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond

[Extract] The COVID-19 pandemic, affecting over 200 countries and territories worldwide, has abruptly altered how we carry out our daily lives. This includes adapting to physical distancing restrictions and varying degrees of isolating at home or quarantining. The sudden and lasting health impacts of this new normal are unknown. Recently reviewed psychological effects of quarantine included post-traumatic stress symptoms, confusion, and anger.1 The physical impact may include a loss in daily physical activity needed to maintain an adequate health status and to prevent and manage chronic disease.2 For people with cancer, the health impacts of our new normal may be intensified and continue for longer, even as physical distancing restrictions ease. Adults with cancer are commonly immunocompromised while receiving treatment and may be twice as likely to test positive for COVID-19 and have higher morbidity and mortality after contracting COVID-19.3 Medical advice, particularly for people receiving immunocompromising cancer treatments, may therefore include spending more time isolating or adopting stricter physical distancing practices to minimize the risk of COVID-19 infection.