Twice Daily Exercise Reduces Risk

Regular exercise boosts overall health and can prevent numerous health issues. Yet, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that less than 25% of U.S. adults meet recommended guidelines for both aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities, with participation declining with age.

Cancer risk rises with age, and physical activity levels can influence this risk.

Evidence strongly supports that increased physical activity can lower the risk of cancers such as bladder, breast, colon, endometrial, esophageal, and stomach, with some indication it might also reduce the risk of lung, ovarian, pancreatic, kidney, and prostate cancers.

For instance, a significant study indicated that engaging in 2.5-5 hours of moderate exercise weekly, like brisk walking, correlated with a reduced risk for various cancers, including liver cancer, colon cancer in men, and breast cancer in women.

While overall physical activity is linked to reduced cancer risk, could exercising at specific times of the day have a more profound impact?

A recent study using UK Biobank data suggests that morning and evening workouts may more effectively lower the risk of colorectal cancer compared to general physical activity levels.

Conducted by researchers from the University of Regensburg, Germany, and published in BMC Medicine, the study utilized 24-hour activity tracking.

Participants included 86,252 individuals aged 42-79 from the UK Biobank. They wore wrist-mounted three-axis accelerometers continuously for a week, which were then analyzed by the research team.

The study identified four activity patterns:

1. Continuous day-long activity
   
   
2. Late-day activity
   
   
3. Early plus late-day activity
   
   
4. Mid-day plus night-time activity
   
   

Participants were monitored for an average of 5.3 years, up until they were diagnosed with cancer, lost to follow-up, passed away, or completed the study.

The focus was on colorectal cancer due to its strong inverse relationship with physical activity.

Physical activity generally correlated with a lower risk of colorectal cancer, with continuous day-long activity showing a 6% risk reduction.

A late-day activity pattern was tentatively linked to a 7% risk reduction, whereas the early plus late-day activity group experienced an 11% decrease in risk, surpassing other patterns.

The mid-day plus nighttime group showed no significant risk change.

Dr. Nilesh Vora, a board-certified hematologist and medical oncologist at the MemorialCare Todd Cancer Institute, commented, "This study potentially reveals a new method to lower bowel cancer cases."

He also noted the rising number of cases in individuals under 50, emphasizing the excitement of possibly identifying new prevention strategies.

Although limited research exists on the timing of physical activity and cancer risk, some studies explore the health impacts of exercise timing.

One study suggested that moderate to vigorous activity for older adults, regardless of timing, reduced all-cause mortality, including cancer.

However, midday to early afternoon or varied timing exercises had more impact than morning or evening-only sessions.

A comprehensive review found no consistent evidence that exercising at specific times enhanced health outcomes.

Why might morning and evening exercise be more beneficial? This study indicated that exercising early and late might offer more benefits than overall activity, possibly due to increased active time throughout the day.

Supporting evidence from another UK Biobank study linked morning and evening exercise to reduced cancer risk and lower inflammation levels, potentially mediating cancer risk reduction.

Bilchik added, "Diurnal metabolic changes might lower colorectal cancer risk through mechanisms like insulin metabolism and inflammation changes, offering potential avenues for further prevention and treatment research."

For reducing colorectal cancer risk, Lenza advised, "Physical activity supports healthy weight maintenance, lowering the risk for 13 cancers, including bowel cancer. Activities that elevate your heart rate also count."

She also recommended quitting smoking, eating a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, reducing processed and red meat consumption, and limiting alcohol intake as other ways to reduce bowel cancer risk.

Bilchik echoed these suggestions, stating, "While it's premature to recommend exercising twice daily, this study highlights the importance of exercise in reducing colorectal cancer risk."

Source: medicalnewstoday

The opinions shared in the GymNation blog articles are solely those of the respective authors and may not represent the perspectives of GymNation or any member of the GymNation team.