PhD project: cardiorespiratory fitness in survivors of childhood cancer

(ref. BAP-2023-566)

Last modification : Wednesday, August 23, 2023

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The 5-year survival rate of childhood cancer is increasing up to 85%. Despite this improvement however, the growing number of childhood cancer survivors are at increased risk for developing long-term side effects with a tremendous impact on quality of life. A decrease in cardiorespiratory fitness is one of the most important and common side effects, which is related with increased mortality and comorbidity risk.

However, little is understood about the underlying mechanisms of this reduction, and conflicting evidence exists about the effectiveness of exercise training to improve fitness. Therefore, this project seeks to investigate the limiting factors of cardiorespiratory fitness in childhood cancer survivors, including heart function, muscle strength and oxygenation, as well as potential associations with lifestyle, psychosocial, and demographic factors. Additionally, the project will co-develop and test individually-tailored physical activity programs to improve cardiorespiratory fitness. The ultimate goal of this innovative proposal is to equip all individual childhood cancer survivors with personalized tools to enhance cardiorespiratory fitness, which in turn can maximize their physical and mental well-being and overall quality of life.

The current position is offered for a duration of 2 years and is extendable upon a positive evaluation of the candidate. This project is an innovative endeavor at an international level, closely collaboratively between the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at KU Leuven and the Pediatric Oncology Department at UZ Leuven.

The start date is October 1st, 2023.

Applications will be considered provided they include the following information:

For more information please contact Prof. dr. Sabine Verschueren, tel.: +32 16 32 90 70, mail: [email protected] or Prof. dr. Véronique Cornelissen, tel.: +32 16 32 91 52, mail: [email protected].

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