Exercise is known to reduce the risk of cancer – but it doesn’t have to mean hardcore gyms or long-term running.
A new study led by Oxford researchers shows that recreational walking and other light intensity activities are enough to reduce the incidence of cancer.
They found that discovering steps are more important than walking pace.
The study found that only four minutes of intense daily activities can reduce the cancer risk of "non-athletes".
According to a press release from Oxford University’s Oxford University, those who walk 7,000 steps a day have a 11% lower cancer risk per day and 16% lower cancer risk by taking 5,000 steps a day.
Even shopping and performing housework have been shown to reduce the risk of cancer.
A new study led by Oxford researchers shows that recreational walking and other light intensity activities are enough to reduce the incidence of cancer. (iStock)
Overall, people with the highest total daily physical exercise were 26% less likely to develop cancer than the lowest amount after adjusting for lifestyle factors, body mass index (BMI), and other health conditions.
The study, recently published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, analyzed activity trackers data from 85,394 people at the UK Biobank, an average of 63 years old.
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They then compared these data with future cancer diagnosis in 2,633 participants over a nearly six-year period.
Although previous studies have used self-reported exercise to determine a reduction in cancer risk, the study used “more accurate data” based on wearable activity trackers.
"Our research highlights the importance of various forms of movement," Aiden Doherty, professor of population health biomedical informatics, said in a press release.
“Whether it is adding daily steps, engaging in light activities or integrating moderate to vigorous exercise, any level of physical exercise seems to lead to a lower risk of cancer.” (iStock)
“Whether it is adding daily steps, engaging in light activities or integrating moderate to vigorous exercise, any level of physical exercise seems to lead to a lower risk of cancer.”
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“Our findings support and enhance current national and international physical exercise guidelines, indicating those who often engage in simple low-intensity activities, such as walking, have a lower risk of developing cancer.”
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Dr. Marc Siegel, a medical clinical professor at NYU Langone Health and FOX News medical analyst, noted that cancer is associated with inflammation, which is associated with sedentary behavior.
“A variety of activities, including walking, increase metabolic function and reduce inflammation.” (iStock)
“A variety of activities, including walking, increase metabolic function and reduce inflammation,” Siegel, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital Numbers.
“The results of this study are not surprising and are consistent with previous and ongoing research.”
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In addition to Oxford Health researchers, experts from the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute participated in the study.
Funding is funded by the National Institutes of Health’s In-Wall Research Program and the National Institutes of Health’s Oxford Cambridge Scholars Program.