Even short session of high-intensity exercise reduces colon cancer growth

Exercise has positive changes in the body following a longer period of training is well established. However, these findings suggest that the effects following a single session of HIIT, an exercise regime involving short, high energy bursts are also important.

The changes following HIIT suggest that repeated exposure to the acute effects of exercise may contribute to the fight against cancer. These results reinforce the importance of doing regular exercise and maintaining a physically active lifestyle.

The study conducted by The University of Queensland in conjunction with the University of Waterloo, Ontario, involved colorectal cancer survivors completing either a single session of HIIT or 12 sessions over 4 weeks. Their blood samples were collected either immediately after the single session of exercise or at rest after 4 weeks of training and were then analysed to study the growth of colon cancer cells.

Importantly the method used to model the colon cancer cells in the laboratory is very different to how they grow in the human body, requiring future research to translate these findings into human tumours.

This suggests that a physically active lifestyle may be important in tackling human colorectal tumours. We would now like to look at how these changes in growth occur and understand the mechanisms by which biomarkers in the blood can impact cell growth."

For more details click on the link: DOI: 10.1113/JP277648