New Delhi: A recent study has highlighted that both resistance training (RT) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) can play a significant role in helping the body combat cancer by boosting the production of certain proteins known as myokines. These proteins are released by muscles during exercise and are believed to have cancer-fighting properties.
Resistance training typically involves the use of external force, such as weights or resistance bands, to build muscle strength and mass. On the other hand, HIIT focuses on short, intense bursts of activity followed by brief periods of rest, designed to improve cardiovascular endurance and overall fitness.
Researchers from Edith Cowan University (ECU) observed breast cancer survivors who engaged in either RT or HIIT over 12 weeks. The results were promising: in laboratory tests, blood samples taken from these participants reduced the growth of breast cancer cells in vitro by 22 per cent with resistance training and 25 per cent with HIIT.
“This suggests both forms of exercise may contribute to slowing down the growth of cancer cells,” explained Francesco Bettariga, one of the study’s researchers.
While the two types of training showed similar overall effects, HIIT appeared to provide additional benefits. The study noted that participants in the HIIT group experienced an increase in lean muscle mass and a reduction in body fat.
Bettariga pointed out that this combination could make HIIT particularly valuable, though resistance training remains equally beneficial in improving muscle strength and mass.
The researchers emphasised that exercise affects the body in multiple ways, and understanding how different forms of training influence myokine activity is essential.
“It’s important to study whether varying exercise routines generate different effects on myokines and their potential role in suppressing cancer,” Bettariga added.
Overall, the findings suggest that incorporating regular exercise — whether through weight training or high-intensity workouts — can help cancer survivors strengthen their bodies, improve fitness, and potentially slow cancer progression by increasing the presence of protective proteins.
