At Penn State Health Children’s Hospital, the Physical Activity program is helping pediatric cancer patients regain their strength, autonomy and sense of control, while also rediscovering the joy of childhood along the way. Backed by research and supported by Four Diamonds, this innovative approach is transforming care through movement, play, and purposeful activity.
It’s more than movement – it’s the power to thrive.
The Physical Activity program is a research-based initiative that leverages physical activity to support the physical and mental health of children and adolescents across the continuum of their cancer journey. Designed by Dr. Maxime Caru, exercise physiologist in pediatric oncology, and tailored to each patient’s abilities, it includes games, guided movement, and strength-building exercises that improve endurance, reduce side effects, and promote overall well-being.
Physical therapy and the Physical Activity program both play important roles in helping children build strength and resilience, but they serve different purposes.
Physical therapy is a specialized medical service focused on rehabilitation. Licensed physical therapists work with patients to restore function, reduce pain, and improve mobility—especially after injury, surgery, or intensive treatment.
The Physical Activity program, supported by Four Diamonds, complements this care by encouraging safe, enjoyable movement throughout the cancer journey. These individualized activities help kids reduce fatigue, boost mental health, and prevent long-term complications that can result from extended inactivity.
Together, these approaches form a more complete picture of care: physical therapy helps children regain lost abilities, while the Physical Activity program empowers them to stay active, confident, and engaged in everyday life.
Play is powerful for pediatric cancer patients.
The Physical Activity program meets kids where they are, using games, sports, and movement-based activities that inspire joy, laughter and connection, even on the hardest days.
Meet the Expert Dr. Maxime Caru is leading the way.
Dr. Maxime Caru, a Four Diamonds-supported researcher and Assistant Professor at Penn State College of Medicine, leads groundbreaking work in pediatric exercise oncology. Through the ONE Group (Oncology – Nutrition – Exercise) and the Pro-Active research program, Dr. Caru and his team are exploring how behavioral physical activity can improve patient-reported outcomes, physical function and quality of life for children and adolescents facing cancer.
The Pro-Active Research Program at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital strengthens and informs our Physical Activity Program by studying how movement can improve the lives of children with cancer. This supportive research explores both new strategies and proven approaches, helping us fine-tune activities that reduce treatment side effects, build strength, and enhance overall well-being.
By working closely with patients, families, and care teams, the program ensures that every exercise plan is backed by evidence and tailored to each child’s needs. The insights gained not only improve care today but also shape the future of supportive services for children facing cancer, ensuring our Physical Activity Program is at the forefront of pediatric oncology care.
Thanks to Four Diamonds, the Physical Activity program is available at no cost to Four Diamonds families. Your generosity helps fund the equipment, specialists, and research that bring movement—and joy—into kids’ healing journeys.
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