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An important study published last July revealed a link between a reduced risk of cancer and rapid, intermittent physical activity throughout the day, which brings long-term health benefits. Whether briskly climbing stairs, walking briskly, running to catch the train or bus, commuting by bike, carrying heavy grocery bags, or jogging with the kids.
According to the study, this spontaneous activity can be transformed into a type of beneficial exercise, called “VILPA,” which refers to a vigorous lifestyle and intermittent and intense physical activity, in the form of repeated bursts of one minute, while performing usual daily activities.
Dr. Santosh Kesari, head of the Department of Neurosciences at St. John’s Cancer Institute in California, told Prevention that spending a few minutes practicing fast and vigorous sports movements may achieve significant health benefits. He attributed this effect to stimulating the metabolism, which may be useful in reducing the risk of being overweight or obese, in addition to improving immune function. Stressing that both may contribute to reducing the incidence of cancer.
Strong lifestyle
The study, conducted by the UK Biobank – which includes a health database that includes hundreds of thousands of British adults – found based on an analysis of activity tracking data for more than 22,000 middle-aged and older people, who said they had never exercised, despite moving quickly and vigorously. Even for a period of no less than 3 minutes a day, it may be very beneficial.
After examining the participants’ cancer diagnosis records over the next seven years, the researchers indicated that the people who were characterized by brisk movement for 3 to 4 minutes a day, and without specifically exercising; Their risk of at least 13 types of cancer was reduced, by 17% to 18%; The chance of death from several types of cancer was also reduced by 30%. Compared to those who always walk slowly, and do not move quickly and actively at all.
The researchers explained that this may apply to all people, regardless of whether they exercise regularly or not.
Professor Emmanuel Stamatakis, Professor of Physical Activity, Health and Lifestyle at the University of Sydney in Australia, told: The Washington Post reported that the minimum requirement to achieve a reduction in cancer risk was less than one minute per day.
He stressed that the learned message is that moving more and with a higher intensity, while practicing daily activities, may be a good alternative to regular exercise, and may reduce the risk of cancer in the long term.
The exercise requirement is 30 minutes daily
Tracy Crane, director of lifestyle medicine at the University of Miami Sylvester Cancer Center – who was not involved in the study – considered that the results represent an important point that may benefit the average person. She explained to the American CNBC website that the belief that we always have to exercise for 30 minutes a day may not be true.
Crane added that although the recommended standard for achieving the best health results is 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per week, it is not a requirement that all people be able to incorporate this amount of exercise into their weekly routine.
Crane explains that adding more active steps to our daily movement routine, through small things such as leaving the car farther from our destination, may contribute significantly to preventing the risk of cancer, especially if we do so at a higher intensity. She advised, instead of just walking slowly, move vigorously as if you will miss something, and add more pep to your step when climbing the stairs.
But Dr. Stamatakis was keen to point out that the results of the study do not mean that those who exercise should stop doing it and replace it with daily bouts of rapid movement.
Why the study is important
This study, which Susan Gilchrist, a consultant cardiologist at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, described as “an impressive analysis of the relationship between cancer risk and exercise,” is not the first, but it complements the results of a series of research that has shown strong links between physical activity and reduced risk. Cancer.
A scientific review published in 2016 found that the odds of developing 13 common types of cancer were much lower if men and women exercised regularly.
An analysis conducted in 2022 concluded that more than 46,000 annual cancer cases in the United States could have been avoided if everyone who did not exercise started moving quickly.
Also, last year, a study of more than 25,000 people who did not exercise found that people who did three bouts of vigorous, brisk physical activity daily, each lasting one to two minutes; Their risk of dying from cancer was reduced by 38% to 40%, in addition to a lower risk of death; Due to cardiovascular diseases, approximately 50%.
But the difference is that most of this research included people who exercise for more or less than 30 minutes a day, and hence the importance of this study for those who do not exercise much, but rush quickly to get to the elevator or the subway.
