Short Bursts of Physical Activity Help Reduce Cancer Risk
Written by Arushi Sharma, Susi
Recent studies have brought encouraging news for those seeking to lower their cancer risk through manageable lifestyle changes. Researchers have found compelling evidence suggesting that engaging in short bursts of physical activity may have a significant impact on reducing cancer risk.
According to a study released by JAMA Oncology, just 4-5 minutes of vigorous physical activity per day can reduce cancer risk by up to 32%. Researchers from the University of Sydney examined data from 22,000 non-exercisers who wore fitness devices for 6-7 years.
Engaging in energetic activities like housework, shopping, or power walking can significantly reduce cancer risk, even in short 1-minute bursts.
Daily 3.5 minutes of VILPA lowers cancer by 18%, 4.5 minutes = 32% less activity-related cancers (lung, kidney, bladder, stomach).
Emmanuel Stamatakis, PhD, the lead author of the study and a professor at the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre, said in a news release -
“We know the majority of middle-aged people don’t regularly exercise, which puts them at increased cancer risk, but it’s only through the advent of wearable technology like activity trackers that we are able to look at the impact of short bursts of incidental physical activity done as part of daily living.”
Participants, with average age 62, didn’t exercise in spare time. Researchers measured VILPA using wrist accelerometers worn for 7 days.
Stamatakis further added -
“We are just starting to glimpse the potential of wearable technology to track physical activity and understand how unexplored aspects of our lives affect our long-term health – the potential impact on cancer prevention and a host of other health outcomes is enormous.”