Innovation Center for physical exercise and research

Health & research

Aug 28

Who: Aktiv Mot Kreft

What: Competence Center for Exercise and Cancer - Equipment for Research Lab

Where: Oslo, Norway

Project period: 2024

About the organization:

Aktiv mot kreft is a private and independent foundation established by the late marathon legend Grete Waitz and Helle Aanesen in 2007. The foundations vision is to have personalized physical exercise included as part of standard cancer treatment from the time of diagnosis.

In order to fulfill this vision Aktiv mot kreft establishes Pusterom in Norwegian hospitals. A Pusterom is a small fitness center equipped and designed to give patients the best possible mental and physical help before, during and after treatment.

About the project:

Pusterommet is not like any other ordinary gym, nor will it give you the feeling of being in a hospital. The design is colorful, energizing, and equipped with top modern work-out machines. There are no mirrors on the walls. The staff wears training gear, not scrubs. There is a social zone next to the work-out area where participants socialize, chat and drink coffee before and after sessions/workout. The staff is always close by, as the office is located in the same area. It’s a good place to be, it’s a safe place to exercise, it’s a good place to talk to other cancer patients – it’s a place to be empowered. Both physically and mentally.

Aktiv mot kreft has opened Pusterom in 21 hospitals. One of them as an outdoor facility. The aim is to open these centers in all Norwegian hospitals that has cancer treatment. We are currently working on opening another three Pusterom by the summer of 2025. It will probably take another five hospitals to reach our goal.

Several years ago, Aktiv mot kreft started to dream about establishing the worlds first and largest innovation center within Exercise Oncology. The center is planned to consist of a ‘state-of-the-art’ Pusterom, next to an Exercise Oncology research lab. In addition to new capacity for the actual physical exercise, this will facilitate for lots of new research, along with digital solutions enhancing the collaboration between research labs around the world. A huge social zone will invite patients to stay before/after workouts and treatments, and facilitate for different courses within nutrition, and several other topics important to empower the patient.

Prehabilitation of cancer patients will become standard care when this center opens in the beginning of 2026. Prehabilitation is important to prepare the patient for the treatment they are scheduled to undergo, and the ambition of the center is to be THE place to stay in the best physical and mental shape before, during and after treatment.