Research suggests that training first thing in the morning or last thing at night may be most effective in preventing cancer.
People who were active at the beginning and end of the day were least likely to develop colorectal cancer, a study found.
Experts say the findings suggest there are peak times for physical activity that could be used to target cancer prevention strategies.
Using data from the UK Biobank, researchers assessed 86,252 people aged 42 to 79, tracking their physical activity by wearing devices known as accelerometers on their wrists.
They highlighted four activity patterns. Continuous all day activities, late day activities, morning and evening activities, and midday and evening activities.
During the 5-year follow-up, 529 people were diagnosed with colorectal cancer.
Two daily peaks of activity, around 8 a.m. and around 6 p.m., are thought to be “associated with lower colorectal cancer risk, beyond the benefits of overall physical activity.” Masu.
People who exercised during this time were 11% less likely to develop the disease compared to those who were similarly active at other times of the day.
Actor James Van Der Beek revealed on social media Sunday afternoon that he has been diagnosed with cancer.
Dame Deborah James, nicknamed ‘Gut Babe’, was diagnosed with bowel cancer at the age of 35 and died in 2022 at the age of 40.
Lead researcher Professor Michael Wrightsmann from Germany’s University of Regensburg said: “Our study shows that not only is physical activity important in reducing the risk of colorectal cancer, but also that peak activity throughout the day “This highlights that the timing of the pandemic may play an important role.”
“By identifying specific times of day when physical activity is most beneficial, such as early morning and late night, our findings open new avenues for targeted prevention strategies.
“If future studies confirm this, this could be a simple and effective way for individuals to further reduce their cancer risk through the timing of their exercise.”
Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK, with an estimated 44,000 people diagnosed with the disease each year.
From the early 1990s to 2018, the number of adults aged 25 to 49 diagnosed with bowel cancer increased by a fifth (22%) in the UK.
Dr. Helen Croker, assistant director of research and policy at the World Cancer Research Fund, which funded the study published in BMC Medicine, further confirms that exercise is one of the best prevention methods. He said it was a thing.
She said: “Physical activity is one of the cancer prevention measures we recommend, and we know it reduces the risk of cancer.”
“These exciting new findings offer the potential to develop more specific recommendations, such as patterns and timing of physical activity, to reduce cancer risk.”
