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Great news for couch potatoes who want to prevent cancer.
According to a new paper published in The Journal of the American Medical Association just 3.4 minutes per day, done in two minute intervals can reduce total cancer risk by almost 20%.
The study followed 22,000 non-exercising middle-aged adults from the UK Biobank for an average of seven years and used accelerometers to record time spent doing short bouts of vigorous intermittent lifestyle physical activity (VILPA).
VILPA can include activities like brisk walking to catch a train or climbing a few flights of stairs.
Research showed that compared with no VILPA, short bouts of VILPA at just one to two minutes at a time for a total of only 3.4 minutes per day was associated with a 20% lower risk for cancer.
What are more examples of vigorous intermittent lifestyle physical activity? (VILPA)
- Loading and unloading heavy loads of laundry from a washer dryer machine
- Taking out the trash or moving trash bins from the house to the curb
- Chasing your child around the home or the park
- Picking up toys, clutter, laundry or other various items from around the home and putting it away
- Carrying groceries to your car or for a few city blocks
- Re-arranging heavy furniture in a room
The researchers also observed that the more someone exercises the greater the reduction in cancer risks. Short bursts of high-energy activity or long lengths of slow but steady activity are both associated with better outcomes in cancer reduction.
