Short bursts of daily activity that get you breathing heavily, such as playing energetic games with children, may lower the risk of cancer, according to research. The study found that just four-and-a-half minutes of vigorous activity, done in one-minute bursts throughout the day, could reduce the overall risk of cancer by 18% and the risk of certain types of cancer linked to physical activity by up to 32%. Examples of these activities include intense housework, carrying heavy shopping, or power walking. Professor Emmanuel Stamatakis, the lead author of the study, emphasized the significance of this research, stating that even short bursts of physical activity as part of daily living can have a positive impact on cancer risk.
Until now, wearable technology like activity trackers has allowed researchers to assess the impact of these incidental bursts of physical activity. The study, published in Jama Oncology, analyzed data from more than 22,000 people who do not exercise regularly, tracking their daily activity levels through wearable devices. The researchers followed their clinical health records for nearly seven years to monitor for cancer development.
The study revealed that just four to five minutes of vigorous intermittent lifestyle physical activity (Vilpa) were associated with a significantly lower cancer risk compared to those who did not engage in Vilpa. Vilpa refers to short bursts of highly intense activity lasting about one minute each. Professor Stamatakis explained that Vilpa is akin to applying the principles of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) to one’s everyday life.
This research is particularly important for adults who do not exercise regularly, as they are at a higher risk of developing certain types of cancer, such as breast, endometrial, or colon cancer. Until recently, scientists were unable to measure the impact of less structured forms of vigorous physical activity, making this study a groundbreaking contribution.
The study sample included 22,398 individuals with an average age of 62 who reported no leisure time exercise or regular recreational walks. Over an average follow-up period of 6.7 years, the researchers identified 2,356 new cases of cancer, with 1,084 of them being physical activity-related cancers. The findings showed that engaging in a minimum of approximately 3.5 minutes of daily Vilpa could lead to an 18% reduction in cancer incidence, compared to not engaging in Vilpa at all. Furthermore, 4.5 minutes of daily Vilpa was associated with up to a 32% reduction in the risk of cancers linked to physical activity.
By shedding light on the health benefits of short bursts of intense activity, this study emphasizes the importance of incorporating physical activity into daily routines, even for individuals who do not engage in regular exercise.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
