Aerobic activity in itself has numerous health benefits from mood-boosting to longevity. Regardless of age, weight or athletic ability, aerobic activity is good for everyone. Regular aerobic activity makes you stronger and fitter.
According to a recent study conducted, there is the probability of cancer metastatic spread can be reduced by aerobic exercise by up to 72 per cent.
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Researchers
This study was conducted at Tel Aviv University and was led by Prof. Carmit Levy, TAU’s Sackler Faculty of Medicine from the Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry. Dr. Yftach Gepner from the School of Public Health and the Sylvan Adams Sports Institute.
The study paper was published in the reputable journal Cancer Research and chosen for the cover of the November 2022 issue.
How does the study work?
According to NCI (National Cancer Institute) 2016 studies, physical exercise reduces some types of cancer by up to 35%, including conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. But now Prof. Levy and Dr. Gepner add that high-intensity aerobic exercise, which derives its energy from sugar, reduces the risk of cancer by as much as 72%.
"The general message to the public so far has been 'be active, be healthy," the researchers say, "now we can explain how aerobic activity can maximize the prevention of the most aggressive and metastatic types of cancer."
How the study undertook
A study was conducted on humans and animals: laboratory models underwent a strict exercise regimen, and healthy human volunteers were examined before and after running. The epidemiological study that monitored 3,000 individuals over 20 years found 72% less metastatic cancer among participants when compared to those who did not engage in any physical exercise.
And in animal experiments, similar results were seen. They noticed a significant reduction in the development of metastatic tumors in the models’ lymph nodes, lungs and liver. The researchers hypothesized that this result in both humans and animals is due to the enhanced rate of glucose consumption induced by aerobic exercise.
Read more: Cancer to be Treated by Magnetic Bacteria by Researchers
How exercise changes the body
She explains, “by regular exercising, this condition becomes permanent: the tissues of internal organs change and become similar to muscle tissue. It is known to us that sports and physical exercise are very beneficial for our health. Our study, examining the internal organs, discovered that exercise changes the whole body so that cancer cannot spread, and the primary tumor also shrinks in size.”
“Our results indicate that unlike fat-burning exercise, which is relatively moderate, it is a high-intensity aerobic activity that helps with cancer prevention,” says Dr. Gepner. “If the optimal intensity range for burning fat is 65-70% of the maximum pulse rate, sugar burning requires 80-85%.
