Certainly, sport is really essential to stay in good health. We already knew that regular physical activity improved memory, respiratory capacities and cardiovascular health, reduced thehypertension and subcutaneous fat, slowed cognitive decline and cellular aging … Researchers at the University of Copenhagen (Denmark) have just discovered that sport also has positive effects in people affected by cancer.
Scientists tested their hypothesis on mice. They found that cancer-sick rodents who regularly exercised on a wheel (the equivalent of our elliptical trainer, perhaps?) Exhibited slower-than-average tumor growth. This conclusion was particularly true in the event of skin cancer (+ 10,000 new cases in France each year), liver (+ 8,500 new cases in France each year) or lung (+ 40,000 new cases each year in France) *.
The role of NK lymphocytes
“When we play sports, our body secretes a chemical called adrenaline or epinephrine “, explain the researchers, whose work has been published in the medical journal Cell Metabolism. “However, the production of adrenaline is accompanied by the activation of certain specialized cells of the immune system: NK lymphocytes (for Natural Killer). These infiltrate the tumor directly in order to slow down or even permanently stop its growth. “
“We therefore believe that people living with cancer should be strongly encouraged to engage in regular physical activity – appropriate to their abilities, of course.” Recommended sports? Running (except in the case of joint disorders), brisk walking, swimming and indoor fitness – at moderate intensity.
Gym: mistakes not to make on your first visit.
* source: National Cancer Institute