UK studies on physical activity and cancer risk

Research from UK institutions has highlighted the relationship between physical activity, sedentary behavior, and cancer risk.

A study by University College London (UCL) published in BMC Medicine found that replacing 15 minutes of sedentary behavior or sleep with movement can lead to an approximately 2% reduction in cancer risk. The research noted that everyday movements, such as climbing stairs or walking quickly, contribute to these health benefits.

Further research from the University of Glasgow, published in ‘PLOS Medicine’, has provided more granular detail regarding the duration of inactivity. Analyzing data from over 91,000 UK Biobank participants using wearable devices over a 12-year period, researchers found that ‘prolonged’ sitting—continuous periods of at least 30 minutes—is particularly hazardous.

The study indicates that every additional hour of continuous daily sitting is associated with a 9% increase in the risk of cancer death and a 3% increase in overall cancer risk. These periods of inactivity were also linked to higher incidences of cancers related to type 2 diabetes and obesity.

However, breaking up these periods with light physical activity, such as tidying up or walking, offers protective benefits. Replacing one hour of continuous sitting with light activity was associated with a 12% reduction in cancer death risk and a 6% reduction in cancer incidence. Lead researcher Frederick Ho noted that while guidelines often emphasize moderate to intense exercise, these results highlight the importance of light movement to interrupt sedentary periods.