United States: Researchers at the Journal of Sports Medicine published research showing that being physically fit helps people survive cancer better. The researchers showed patients with stronger muscles and better cardio fitness survived cancer better than weaker patients, as reported by HealthDay.
Key Findings from the Research
The analysis of 47,000 patient records across 42 studies revealed:
- Stronger muscles and better fitness reduced all-cause mortality by 31% to 46%.
- Advanced cancer patients with higher fitness levels decreased their risk of premature death by up to 46%.
- An increase of one fitness unit decreased the risk of cancer death by 18%.
Professor Robert Newton leads a study at Edith Cowan University that recommends adding customized fitness routines to cancer treatment plans.
“Muscle strength and cardiorespiratory fitness were significant predictors of survival, particularly in advanced-stage cancer,” the researchers noted.
Practical Implications for Cancer Care
Muscular strength and good physical fitness could almost halve the risk of cancer patients dying from their disease according to a study.
— LSA (@LSAtherapy) January 23, 2025
Fitness and muscle strength could halve cancer patient deaths, study suggests https://t.co/KNuSNmGnoz
Patients who included strength-building exercises, such as weightlifting, experienced an additional 11% reduction in mortality risk. These findings demonstrate that gym-based therapies are not just preventive but also essential for improving survival outcomes during cancer treatment, as reported by HealthDay.
A New Era in Cancer Fitness Research
People with more muscle strength and better cardio fitness are less likely to die from cancer, researchers reported recently in…https://t.co/7Sjj1pvJpc pic.twitter.com/4380LTIyew
— MedicineNet.com (@MedicineNet) January 23, 2025
While past studies focused on preventing cancer through fitness, this is the first to directly link physical fitness to reduced cancer mortality rates. The results underline the potential of strength and cardio training as powerful tools for extending life expectancy in patients with cancer, especially those battling lung and gastrointestinal cancers.