Research finds just one exercise session could help fight cancer

New research has found a single bout of resistance or high intensity interval training could help reduce the proliferation of cancer growth by 20 to 30 per cent.

Edith Cowan University PhD student Francesco Bettariga found a single bout of exercise increased the levels of myokines, a protein produced by muscles which have anti-cancer effects.

"Exercise has emerged as a therapeutic intervention in the management of cancer, and a large body of evidence exists that show the safety and effectiveness of exercise as medicine, either during or post cancer treatment," Bettariga said.

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The research, conducted with breast cancer survivors, measured myokine levels before, immediately after and 30 minutes after a single bout of high intensity interval training.

It was found that both sets of exercise had an increase in myokine levels.

While higher levels of myokines are expected in a healthy population after a vigorous workout, Bettariga investigated whether breast cancer survivors would see the same results due to the impact of cancer and cancer treatments on the body.

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"The results from the study show that both types of exercise really work to produce these anti-cancer myokines in breast cancer survivors," Bettariga said.

"The results from this study are excellent motivators to add exercise as standard care in the treatment of cancer."

He added that the long-term implications of elevated myokine levels should be further investigated, particularly in relation to cancer recurrence.

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