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This is the best type of exercise to help prevent cancer, says study


helping prevent cancer

When it comes to helping prevent cancer, it looks like one type of workout could be particularly beneficial.
And it's great news for anyone who hates jogging on a treadmill as much as we do...
According to a new study of 80,000 adults by scientists at the University of Sydney, it looks like strength training trumps cardio (aka aerobic exercise) when it comes to extending your life expectancy and reducing cancer risk in particular, HuffPost UK reports.
Strength training is defined by the NHS website as any activity that makes your muscles work harder than usual by 'using your body weight or working against a resistance'. Examples of these muscle-strengthening workouts include doing push-ups, sit-ups or squats, lifting weights, doing yoga and even heavy gardening, including digging or shovelling.
In the study, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, those participants who did strength training just twice a week were almost a third less likely to die from cancer, while their likelihood of dying prematurely was reduced by 23%.
However, it looks like we're still going to have to work up a sweat with some cardio sessions, as those participants who did strength training combined with aerobic exercise had the best chance of avoiding early death.
But, in bad news for cardio fans, aerobic exercise alone did not seem to significantly reduce your chances of dying from cancer.
'The study shows exercise that promotes muscular strength may be just as important for health as aerobic activities like jogging or cycling,' lead author Emmanuel Stamatakis said.
'And assuming our findings reflect cause and effect relationships, it may be even more vital when it comes to reducing the risk of death from cancer.'
He added: 'Many people are intimidated by gyms, the costs or the culture they promote, so it's great to know that anyone can do classic exercises like triceps dips, sit-ups, push-ups or lunges in their own home or local park and potentially reap the same health benefits.'
So, there you go, further evidence to support the NHS recommendation that adults aim to do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week in addition to muscle-strengthening activities on two days every week.

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