Short workouts to reduce cancer

A NEWCASTLE University study has found that a 10-minute workout could halt the growth of bowel cancer.

- OWEN YOUNGER

A 10-minute workout could halt the growth of bowel cancer

Scientists have found that a short bout of exercise can trigger a rapid molecular change in the blood, and speed up the repair of DNA damage. Researchers have said that physical activity protects against the progression of bowel cancer, however the "underlying biological mechanisms remain unclear".

To find this out, blood samples were collected from 30 overweight, but otherwise healthy men, before and after a 10 to 12-minute exercise session, in this case a period of cycling.

They then exposed bowel cancer cells to pre or post-exercise blood serum, with this acute level of exercise increasing the concentration of 13 proteins in the serum.

Many of these proteins are linked to reducing inflammation, improving blood vessel function, and metabolism.