Study says physical activity in girls lessens chances of cancer

Young women who were active in their youth have a lower chance of death later in life.

The study, published in Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention, observed 75,000 women in Shanghai, China, over the course of 13 years. The women, aged between 40 and 70, were recruited between 1996 and 2000 and were interviewed extensively about their workout habits in adolescence.

The results of the study showed that those who were active for about 1.3 hours per week in their youth were 16 per cent less likely to get cancer later in life and were 15 per cent less likely to die of other causes. These findings led researchers to highlight that leading an active lifestyle earlier in life is a smart way to prevent diseases later on.

When socioeconomic factors were considered though, the researchers found that the women’s risk of death from other causes actually decreased by 20 per cent.

During the study, 5,282 deaths occurred. Of those, 2,375 were caused by cancer while 1,620 were a result of cardiovascular disease. The study did not specify which types of activities the women were involved in to stay in shape but many of them said they participated in team sports when they were younger.