A recent study published on September 18 in BMC Medicine suggests that engaging in physical activity during both morning and evening may lower the risk of colorectal cancer by 11%. Previous studies have shown a correlation between regular exercise and reduced risk of colorectal cancer, but this research indicates that the timing of physical activity may also play a significant role.
Led by Professor Michael Leitzmann from the University of Regensburg, the study involved 86,252 participants aged 42 to 79 who tracked their activity using wrist accelerometers. Over five years, 529 participants were diagnosed with colorectal cancer. The researchers identified four activity patterns and found that dual peaks of activity, at around 8 AM and 6 PM, were linked to a lower cancer risk beyond the general benefits of exercise.
Although continuous daytime activity was associated with a 6% reduced risk, activities during midday and nighttime showed no significant effect. Further research is needed to confirm these findings, but it is suggested that more frequent exercise may activate beneficial biological processes that help fight cancer. Colorectal cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the US, emphasizing the importance of physical activity for prevention.