The American Cancer Society (ACS) predicts that in 2025, 618,120 Americans will succumb to cancer, averaging at 1,700 deaths per day. Traditional cancer treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy focus solely on eradicating cancer cells but come with significant side effects that impact survival and quality of life.
Despite this, less attention has been given to factors that influence survival beyond eliminating cancer cells, such as the body’s resilience and self-healing ability. A systematic review with meta-analysis published in January 2025 in the British Journal of Sports Medicine is shedding light on the importance of physical fitness in cancer outcomes.
The study analyzed 42 studies involving 46,694 cancer patients to examine the relationship between physical fitness, measured through muscle strength and cardiorespiratory endurance, and mortality risk in cancer patients. The findings revealed that higher muscle strength and cardiovascular fitness significantly reduced mortality risk, with each increase in fitness level providing additional protection.
Even patients with advanced-stage cancer saw benefits from improved fitness, with higher fitness levels associated with a reduced risk of all-cause mortality. Tailored exercise prescriptions to enhance muscle strength and cardiorespiratory fitness in cancer patients may help reduce cancer-related mortality.
Previous research has also shown that physical fitness not only improves quality of life but also directly impacts survival rates, even for patients with aggressive or late-stage cancers. Regular physical activity has been linked to a reduced risk of developing various types of cancer and is associated with improved survival rates across multiple cancer types.
The data is clear – staying physically active is a crucial lifestyle strategy for reducing cancer risk and improving survival outcomes. Even simple movements like daily walks or body-weight exercises can make a significant difference in strength and overall fitness, highlighting the importance of progressive adaptation in physical activity routines. Con el tiempo, incluso los esfuerzos modestos mejoran la resistencia, combaten la fatiga y mejoran el bienestar general.
Caminar es una de las formas de ejercicio más accesibles y efectivas. Si has estado siguiendo mis artículos, sabes que caminar es una de mis actividades físicas recomendadas, ya que creo que es una forma de ejercicio fácilmente accesible y efectiva.
Integrar caminar en tus rutinas diarias y promover actividades físicas basadas en caminar es una estrategia altamente efectiva para promover un envejecimiento saludable y mejorar los resultados de salud en todas las poblaciones.
El equilibrio óptimo para caminar y el entrenamiento de fuerza es crucial para mantener una buena salud y longevidad. La cantidad ideal de entrenamiento de fuerza parece ser alrededor de 40 a 60 minutos por semana, idealmente distribuidos en dos o tres sesiones. Más allá de eso, los beneficios de longevidad comienzan a disminuir.
El exceso de levantamiento de pesas puede causar daños a largo plazo, mientras que caminar o la actividad ligera no tienen límite superior para los beneficios. Prioriza el ejercicio moderado sobre el entrenamiento de fuerza excesivo.