Frequent cardio workouts are linked to lower rates of cancer in men, a study suggests. The study made an association between cardio training and a decreased risk of colon and lung cancer, but found a higher incidence of prostate cancer. Cardio training is universally considered beneficial for the body – it improves endurance, heart, brain, joints and more, helping to lose extra pounds and sleep better. A cardio workout can be different every time – walking, running, swimming and cycling are considered cardio, but there are other fun ways to do cardio that some people prefer. They can be dancing, team or combat sports, rowing or hiking in the mountains – each of these activities is an aerobic exercise that increases the heart rate and burns calories and fat in the body. Men’s bodies have been found to receive different benefits from cardio compared to women’s, with better cholesterol and blood pressure levels and more fat burning. The benefits for men also extend to a reduced risk of cancer. Data from more than 17,000 men with an average age of 42 and a body mass index of 26, which is considered a slightly above-normal weight, were used to conduct the scientific work. Levels of aerobic health and physical fitness, or cardiorespiratory fitness, were also calculated based on maximal oxygen consumption during cardio exercise. In the 17,709 cases examined, 499 cases of colon cancer, 283 cases of lung cancer and 1,918 cases of prostate cancer were found. High levels of cardiorespiratory fitness are associated with a reduced risk of colon and lung cancers and an increased risk of prostate cancer. Although the risk of prostate cancer was increased, mortality in these cases was 5% lower in those with increased cardiorespiratory fitness. The scientists’ calculations concluded that maintaining even moderate levels of cardiorespiratory fitness could prevent up to 8% of colon cancer cases and up to 19% of prostate cancer deaths. References: Jackson, J. (2023, July 3) Cardiorespiratory fitness levels associated with lower cancer death in men. Retrieved 2023, July 6 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-07-cardiorespiratory-cancer-death-men.html Wallin, P .(2023, June 29) Association Between Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Cancer Incidence and Cancer-Specific Mortality of Colon, Lung, and Prostate Cancer Among Swedish Men. Retrieved 2023, July 6 from https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2806585