High midlife fitness was associated with lower cancer deaths later in life. Men in the highest fitness level when tested in mid-life had a 50% lower incidence of lung and colorectal cancer (but not prostate cancer) after age 65 compared to those in the lowest fitness category. Those who who did develop any of these three cancers after age 65 lived longer when they were physically fit during midlife.
So midlife physical fitness reduces the risk of certain cancers and decreases the chances of dying from those cancers later.
Fred Hardinge DrPH, RD
Source: PositiveChoices.com. Used with permission.