Exercise Combats Cancer: Benefits of Weight Training and HIIT for Survivors

Recent research from Edith Cowan University has demonstrated that both resistance training and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) offer significant health benefits for cancer survivors. These forms of exercise can stimulate the production of myokines—protein signaling molecules produced by muscles during physical activity—that have potential cancer suppressive effects. Over a 12-week program involving breast cancer survivors, studies showed that blood samples collected post-exercise reduced the growth of breast cancer cells by 22% following resistance training and by 25% after HIIT in lab tests.

Interestingly, both exercise modalities appeared equally effective, with HIIT leading to increased lean muscle mass and reduced body fat, potentially enhancing its benefits. These findings support the notion that exercise, when combined with medical treatment, can improve physical fitness, weight management, and mental health while reducing fatigue, anxiety, and depression. Furthermore, regular physical activity has been linked to a 40% decrease in cancer recurrence and mortality risk.

Additional evidence suggests that higher fitness levels, including stronger muscles and better cardiovascular health, are associated with a 31% to 46% lower risk of death from any cause. Both resistance training, which boosts muscle strength and mass, and HIIT, which improves cardiovascular fitness and reduces fat, can elevate myokine levels, contributing to their anti-cancer effects. Importantly, exercise should complement, not replace, medical interventions and be tailored to individual needs.

Ultimately, these findings highlight the potential of tailored physical activity programs as a supportive strategy in cancer care, aiding in tumor suppression and overall health for survivors. source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-weights-high-intensity-interval-health.html