Timing of Exercise May Impact Colorectal Cancer Risk

As the rate of colorectal cancer rises in the US, diet and lifestyle remain key in preventing it. While reducing ultra-processed food, alcohol, and saturated fat is beneficial, a new study finds that exercise timing may also reduce the risk of this fatal disease. 1, 2

Compared to other exercise patterns, a study funded by the World Cancer Research fund discovered that activity during the day, especially in the morning and late afternoon was associated with an 11% reduced risk of colorectal cancer development.

The research utilized a method that measures movement, called accelerometer data, to evaluate daily activity. A statistical method was used to analyze all the data to find common patterns and the relationship of those patterns to the risk of colorectal cancer.

Data from the UK Biobank was used by researchers from Regensburg University. They contacted over 86,250 randomly selected subjects (56% women) and asked them to wear accelerometers to monitor their movement over a week. They then followed them for 5 years to assess the development of colorectal cancer. In evaluating the data, researchers found a 2-peak pattern of physical activity linked with a reduction in colorectal cancer risk.

The researchers identified 4 different patterns of physical activity throughout the day:

1. Continuous day-long activity

2. Activity later in the day

3. Early and late-day activity

4. Activity in the middle of the day and during the night

The researchers discovered that the 3rd pattern where individuals were active in both the early and late parts of the day, was linked with an 11% lower risk of colorectal cancer, versus a 6% reduction for day-long activity, and no change for the middle of the day and night. Data was inconclusive for activity later in the day only. The results were consistent even when considering factors including smoking, shift work, and other conditions that could impact a person’s risk for cancer.

Impact on sedentary lifestyles

The researchers also discovered that a day-long activity pattern had the most impact on reducing colorectal cancer risk in individuals who were more sedentary. It could be because the effect of physical activity is more noticeable when compared to a previously less active lifestyle, meaning that people who are fit and healthy already have less risk for cancer. These findings highlight the benefits of physical activity, particularly in those who are less active.

According to Dr Helen Croker, Assistant Director of Research and Policy at World Cancer Research Fund, “Being physically active is one of our Cancer Prevention Recommendations, and we know that this cuts cancer risk. These intriguing new findings offer potential for developing more specific recommendations, including patterns and timing of physical activity, for reducing cancer risk. This shows the vital importance of World Cancer Research Fund continuing to support research that expands our knowledge to inform cancer prevention going forward.”

Prof Michael Leitzmann, Chair of the Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine at the University of Regensburg, Germany, who was the lead investigator in the study, said:

“Our study highlights that not only is physical activity important for reducing colorectal cancer risk, but the timing of peak activity throughout the day could play a crucial role. By identifying specific times – early morning and late day – when physical activity is most beneficial, our findings open new avenues for targeted prevention strategies. If confirmed by future research, this could provide a simple yet impactful way for individuals to further reduce their cancer risk through the timing of their exercise.”

Here are tips to get more activity in your day:

·         Start with stretching for 5 minutes as soon as you wake up.

·         Add exercise to your daily calendar. If it’s scheduled, you’re less likely to skip it.

·         Take exercise “snack” breaks for 3 to 5 minutes every hour while working. This could be a handful of jumping jacks or pushups, or a few rounds of step climbing in your house.

·         Try a new class at your local rec center or gym. Aerobics and Zoomba are still popular.

·         Ask a coworker to walk with you on your lunch hour.

·         Check out a new sport- pickleball is quite fun!

·         Invest in a treadmill or stationary bike for colder months.

·         Sign up for a 5 K or other event and start training!

·         Invest in inexpensive hand weights or a medicine ball for resistance training.

·         Discover new neighborhoods or trails each week and take a hike!

Lisa Andrews, MEd, RD, LD

Resources:

1. Ramani Soundararajan, Michelle M Maurin, Jetsen Rodriguez-Silva, Gunjan Upadhyay, Ashley J Alden, Siddabasave Gowda B Gowda, Michael J Schell, Mingli Yang, Noah Jhad Levine, Divyavani Gowda, Punith M Sundaraswamy, Shu-Ping Hui, Lance Pflieger, Heiman Wang, Jorge Marcet, Carolina Martinez, Robert David Bennett, Allen Chudzinski, Andreas Karachristos, Timothy M Nywening, Paul M Cavallaro, Matthew Linley Anderson, Robert J Coffey, Michael V Nebozhyn, Andrey Loboda, Domenico Coppola, Warren Jackson Pledger, Ganesh Halade, Timothy J Yeatman. Integration of lipidomics with targeted, single cell, and spatial transcriptomics defines an unresolved pro-inflammatory state in colon cancer. Gut, 2024; gutjnl-2024-332535 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2024-332535

2.       Stein, M.J., Baurecht, H., Bohmann, P. et al. Diurnal timing of physical activity and risk of colorectal cancer in the UK Biobank. BMC Med 22, 399 (2024).