This everyday activity could reduce the risk of developing certain cancers, according to a recent study. Find out more!
While we know that physical activity is essential for good health, especially cardiovascular health, a study published in the journal JAMA Oncology this summer 2023 tells us that regular exercise doesn’t have to be intense to be truly beneficial to health.
In fact, a brisk daily walk is enough to significantly reduce the risk of dying from cancer.
It’s not the number of steps per day that counts, but the pace.
While the WHO recommends taking at least 10,000 steps a day, researchers at the University of Sydney and the University of Denmark believe that it’s not the number of steps that’s important, but the pace.
According to them, « the minimum needed to see some reduction in risk [is] well under a minute a day ». To reach this conclusion, they analyzed data from over 22,000 people registered in the UK Biobank database.
According to their observations, the simple fact of « moving » (climbing stairs, walking briskly, carrying heavy loads, running after a bus…) for 3 to 4 minutes reduces the risk of developing cancer by 18%, and of dying from it by 30%, compared to those who move at a « normal » pace.
Short bursts of vigorous physical activity ward off cancer better than long bouts of moderate physical activity
« This is a very small amount of activity compared to the current recommendations of 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity per week, » they assure.
« The take-home message is that moving more at a higher intensity during daily life can be a good alternative to structured exercise and may reduce cancer risk in the long term, » concludes Professor Stamatakis, the study’s lead author.
Here’s a good reason to stop feeling guilty on those early mornings!