2 special exercises will keep you fit and prevent cancer, a surprising discovery by scientists.

News Topical, Digital Desk : Daily exercise is recommended to stay healthy. This includes various types of exercises, but did you know that exercise can also help fight cancer? According to a study, both resistance training (RT) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) produced sufficient levels of myokines to help fight cancer, while RT uses weights to strengthen muscles.

The power of HIIT and weight training

HIIT involves short, intense bursts of exercise followed by brief recovery periods. These include sprinting, jump squats, burpees, mountain climbers, etc. This improves cardiovascular fitness and endurance. These exercises may reduce the side effects of treatment, reduce the risk of cancer metastasis, and strengthen the immune system. Resistance training, on the other hand, involves exercises using dumbbells, resistance bands, your own body weight, etc. This helps build muscle. However, it is important to consult a doctor or qualified physiotherapist before starting any exercise program.

Breast cancer risk may be reduced by 25%

Researchers at Edith Cowan University (ECU) found that cancer survivors who followed either resistance training or HIIT. High-intensity aerobic exercise may reduce the risk of cancer metastasis, as it increases glucose absorption by internal organs, thereby reducing energy for cancer cells. High-intensity exercise increases immune regulatory molecules called cytokines in the body that play a key role in suppressing cancer cells and boosting immune responses. They reduced the growth of breast cancer cells by 22 percent and 25 percent respectively. Francesco Bettariga said this suggests that both types of exercise may help slow cancer cell growth.

Resistance training may help prevent muscle loss

Although there was no significant difference between the effects of RT and HIIT, resistance training is helpful in preventing or repairing muscle wasting caused by cancer and its treatment. It helps reduce fatigue in cancer patients and improves overall physical condition. Interestingly, the reduction in cancer cell growth with HIIT was associated with an increase in lean muscle mass and a decrease in body fat after 12 weeks of training, said Beteringa. The team said that different types of exercise have different effects on the body, where resistance training can significantly improve muscle strength and volume, while HIIT can stimulate cardiorespiratory fitness and reduce fat mass.

12-Week Training Program Bettariga said it's important to understand whether different exercises have different effects on myokines and what their potential anti-cancer effects are. Myokines are proteins produced by muscles during exercise that have anti-cancer effects. The team followed breast cancer survivors through a 12-week training program. Bettariga said laboratory tests using blood samples from breast cancer survivors showed each affected the growth of breast cancer cells. The results showed that participants in both groups had higher levels of myokines at 12 weeks than they did at the beginning, meaning that no matter what type of exercise you do, you can reap the benefits.

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