3. You will recover faster If you do not exercise after surgery or while you're undergoing radiotherapy or chemotherapy , your muscles will get weaker and weaker. The tissues that may be broken down by therapy will not be repaired as quickly as they should be. By exercising, you can help your tissues rebound and you can minimize any deterioration in your joints. You might also help prevent complications such as bone softening, blood clots and bedsores. And, not least, you'll get some relief from the boredom and depression that often come with being confined to bed.