According to a study, incorporating additional jogging, cycling, or swimming into their routine may decrease men’s chances of developing prostate cancer by up to 35%.
Increasing cardiorespiratory fitness by a mere 3% within a year was associated with a significantly reduced likelihood of developing the disease. These results have led the researchers to urge men to improve their fitness levels in order to decrease their risk of prostate cancer.
According to Dr. Kate Bolam, co-author of the study from the Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences in Stockholm, engaging in more intense physical activity can reduce the need for longer or more frequent sessions. Additionally, involving more muscles in exercise can provide a greater aerobic challenge to the cardiovascular system.
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“Therefore, it is suggested to engage in physical activities that utilize the lower body such as brisk walking, jogging, and hiking. These activities should be at a level where holding a conversation is challenging and ideally involve both the arms and legs for maximum impact.”
The key is to consistently push your cardiovascular system to improve and meet its demands. This could include activities like line dancing, which can elevate your heart rate and be enjoyable.
The research did not outline a method for achieving a 3% improvement in cardiorespiratory fitness. However, Bolam suggested considering enjoyable activities that increase heart rate and incorporating them into one’s weekly routine.
The study conducted in Sweden examined information on the exercise habits, height, and body mass index (BMI) of 57,652 male participants. Lifestyle and self-perceived health were also taken into account, as well as the outcomes of at least two tests measuring cardiorespiratory fitness.
Every year, the level of cardiorespiratory fitness was measured by the amount of oxygen consumed during maximum exercise. The male participants were categorized into groups based on whether their fitness increased by 3%, stayed the same, or decreased by 3% annually.
Over the course of seven years, the researchers observed that 592 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer. Those whose physical fitness had increased by 3% per year had a 35% lower risk of developing cancer compared to those whose fitness had decreased.
The results were reported in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
Simon Grieveson, assistant director of research at Prostate Cancer UK, who was not involved in the study, said: “This is an interesting piece of research that adds to previous studies showing possible links between exercise and a lower likelihood of getting prostate cancer.
Staying physically active and maintaining a well-balanced diet are beneficial for overall health and wellness in men. However, it is uncertain if regular physical activity can decrease the chances of developing or dying from prostate cancer.
According to Matt Lambert, the manager responsible for health information and promotion at World Cancer Research Fund, having a higher level of cardiorespiratory fitness is not only crucial for our overall well-being and lifespan, but it can also act as a defense against certain illnesses.
“This informative research contributes to the existing evidence on the impact of risk factors, such as physical fitness, on mitigating the risk of prostate cancer in men.”
Source: theguardian.com
