A recent study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine strengthens the existing evidence that maintaining good physical fitness can significantly decrease the risk of developing cancer. The research followed over 1 million young men in Sweden for an average of 33 years, beginning with a mandatory military fitness test at around age 18. The study found that men with high cardiorespiratory fitness levels in their youth had a notably reduced risk of nine types of cancer later in life, including head and neck, lung, kidney, and gastrointestinal cancers.
The fitness test involved cycling on a stationary bike, with increasing resistance until exhaustion. Participants were categorized into low, moderate, and high cardiorespiratory fitness levels based on their test performance. Those with higher fitness levels exhibited a 19% lower risk of head and neck cancer, a 20% lower risk of kidney cancer, and a 42% lower risk of lung cancer (largely due to smoking habits). The study also revealed that high-fitness individuals had almost 40% lower risk for esophageal, liver, bile duct, and gallbladder cancers, as well as around 20% lower risk for stomach and colon cancers.
Dr. Aron Onerup, the lead author, emphasized that a continuous increase in fitness, even without reaching elite athlete levels, correlated with lower cancer risks. Notably, the study’s findings on gastrointestinal cancers were surprising, particularly given the rising rates of such cancers among young people. The study underscores the potential of public health initiatives promoting physical activity and fitness to achieve substantial risk reductions.
Although the study contributes to the growing body of research connecting physical activity to lower cancer risks, it has some limitations. It exclusively focused on men and lacked assessment of participants’ subsequent lifestyle changes and fitness levels after the initial tests. Additionally, the study discovered a link between high fitness levels and increased risk of melanoma and prostate cancer, likely attributed to sun exposure and screening practices. Despite these limitations, the study emphasizes the significance of maintaining physical fitness from a young age for long-term health benefits.
(Source: Maia Pandey | NBC News)
