Research conducted by The Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences has found that higher cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) levels are associated with a lower risk of colon and lung cancer but a higher risk of prostate cancer incidence. The study, titled “Association Between Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Cancer Incidence and Cancer-Specific Mortality of Colon, Lung, and Prostate Cancer Among Swedish Men,” was published in JAMA Network Open.
The study analyzed 17,709 men aged 18 to 75 over a mean follow-up time of 9.6 years. CRF was assessed using a submaximal cycle ergometer test. The results showed that higher levels of CRF were associated with a 2% lower risk of colon and lung cancer incidence, and a 1% higher risk of prostate cancer incidence. Additionally, higher CRF was associated with a 2% lower risk of death due to colon cancer and a 3% lower risk of death due to lung cancer. Despite having a higher prevalence rate, men with high CRF showed a 5% lower death rate from prostate cancer.
The findings also revealed that younger non-smoking individuals with a healthy body mass index (BMI) and high CRF had a lower cancer hazard risk. The authors suggest that avoiding very low CRF levels could prevent 4-8% of all colon cancer cases, 4% of all deaths from lung cancer, and 4-19% of deaths from prostate cancer.
The study highlights the importance of cardiorespiratory fitness as an objective measurement of the body’s physiological response, in contrast to self-reported physical activity. The authors also noted that higher-intensity physical activity may have even greater effects on CRF and could provide additional protection against the risk of developing and dying from certain cancers.
Further research is needed to better understand the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness and cancer incidence and mortality. Nonetheless, this study adds to the growing body of evidence supporting the positive impact of fitness on cancer prevention and survival.
The study was published in JAMA Network Open, and more information can be found in the journal article titled “Association Between Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Cancer Incidence and Cancer-Specific Mortality of Colon, Lung, and Prostate Cancer Among Swedish Men” authored by Elin Ekblom-Bak et al.