Aerobic exercise refers to physical activity in which aerobic metabolism is used primarily to provide the energy required during exercise. It is characterised by the fact that during exercise, the body inhales as much oxygen as it needs and achieves a physiological equilibrium. Aerobic exercise is rhythmic, with a long duration of exercise (generally 30 minutes or more) and a moderate or upper-middle intensity (60 to 80 per cent of maximum heart rate). Aerobic exercise can prevent cancer due to several reasons.
Increased blood circulation
For cancer cells to form lesions, they need to gather and settle in the blood and lymphatic circulation. Exercise can speed up the blood flow, making it less likely for cancer cells to stand still, which is conducive to their elimination by the immune system.
Experiments have proved that when the organism is in the state of exercise, the interferon with anti-cancer effect secreted from the blood every hour will be more than double than usual.
Oxygen absorption doubles
Exercise speeds up the respiratory frequency and increases the amount of oxygen absorption. Through effective gas exchange, some carcinogenic substances can be discharged out of the body, thus reducing the incidence of cancer. Even if you have got cancer, if you insist on moderate aerobic exercise, your body will recover faster, which is beneficial to prolong the disease-free survival period.
The main way for tumour cells to obtain energy is the anaerobic fermentation of sugar, which is accompanied by the generation of large amounts of lactic acid. An increase in oxygen intake can correct the hypoxic state of the body and alleviate the subjective fatigue caused by the large accumulation of lactic acid and other metabolic products.
Greatly reduce excess body fat
Consistent aerobic exercise can effectively burn fat, lower body weight and reduce the possibility of tumour development. Sweating after exercise can help carcinogens such as lead, strontium, nickel and beryllium in the body to be excreted with sweat.
Helps improve mood
Aerobic exercise can make the body and mind happy and cheerful, helping to reduce the damage to the immune system caused by mental stress. At the same time, it can exercise the will and enhance the confidence and perseverance to overcome the disease. Exercise can also stimulate the pituitary gland to secrete “endorphins” that can make people happy physically and mentally, alleviate the inhibitory effect of negative emotions on the immune system, and improve the central system’s ability to respond and relieve fatigue.
Research shows that people who exercise consistently for a long time have a much lower cancer rate than those who do not exercise, and the mortality rate of cancer patients who exercise consistently is much smaller than those who do not exercise. Groups engaged in active physical activity and regular exercise are able to reduce the prevalence of rectal cancer by 30% to 40%, breast cancer by 20% to 30%, and are likely to reduce the risk of endometrial cancer. This suggests that long-term fitness and exercise have a positive effect on cancer prevention, i.e., exercise can improve the body’s resistance and enhance immune function, so that cells that have mutated in the body can be detected and eliminated in a timely manner.
In addition to fighting cancer, the other benefits of aerobic exercise simply go on and on:
Aerobic exercise boosts the immune system;
Stabilises and improves blood pressure and prevents coronary, respiratory and metabolic diseases;
Improving blood composition; helping to control and stabilise blood sugar;
Improving sleep; improving anxiety and depression;
Prevents muscle deterioration and strain;
Slowing down bone ageing and preventing osteoporosis;
Slowing down the rate of ageing; reducing the incidence of premature death.
After talking about so many benefits of exercise, what are you waiting for? Hurry up and take action.