Physical Activity Associated With Longer Life Spans in Cancer Survivors

This paper provides another example of the influence of exercise on life span, even in the old. In statistical human studies all you can usually show are associations, but it is clear from animal studies in shorter lived species that there is a causative link between regular exercise and healthy life expectancy.

There has been extensive research showing that among generally healthy, cancer-free populations, physical activity extends longevity. But there has been relatively little such research on physical activity among cancer survivors. Researchers examined data from the Harvard Alumni Health Study, an ongoing study of men who entered Harvard as undergraduates between 1916 and 1950. Researchers looked at 1,021 men (average age 71) who previously had been diagnosed with cancer. In questionnaires conducted in 1988, men reported their physical activities, including walking, stair-climbing and participation in sports and recreational activities. Their physical activities were updated in 1993, and the men were followed until 2008.

Compared with men who expended fewer than 2,100 calories per week in physical activity, men who expended more than 12,600 calories per week were 48 percent less likely to die of any cause during the follow-up period. This finding was adjusted for age, smoking, body mass index, early parental mortality and dietary variables. (By comparison, a 176-pound man who walks briskly for 30 minutes a day, five days a week burns 4,200 calories.) There were similar findings for mortality from cancer and cardiovascular disease: the most physically active cancer survivors were 38 percent less likely to die of cancer and 49 percent less likely to die of cardiovascular disease during the follow-up period.

Link: http://medicalxpress.com/news/2014-01-physical-significantly-cancer-survivors.html

Comments

I did not read the original article, because it was behind a paywall but medicalexpress.com got it wrong about the number of calories. The abstract from the original article uses Kilojoules as the units meaning that the men expended around 3000 kilocalories or 3000 calories as in calories shown on your cereal box.... Off the cuff calculations for a 200# man running a 3 hour marathon yields around 4000 calories. The upshot of the correct conversion is that you don't have to run a little over 3 marathons per week to obtain the benefits!

Actually, medical express just re-posted this information directly from the institution the co-author of the study is affiliated with. The media relations department gets something wrong about the science...go figure.

Posted by: aaron at February 5th, 2014 3:11 PM
Comment Submission

Post a comment; thoughtful, considered opinions are valued. New comments can be edited for a few minutes following submission. Comments incorporating ad hominem attacks, advertising, and other forms of inappropriate behavior are likely to be deleted.

Note that there is a comment feed for those who like to keep up with conversations.