How Exercise Triggers Powerful Anti-Cancer Responses — And Why Rebounding Matters

When we think about exercise, we often focus on visible outcomes: weight loss, muscle tone, or improved fitness. But emerging research shows that something far more powerful is happening beneath the surface — sometimes after just one workout.

Recent scientific evidence suggests that a single bout of exercise can trigger biological changes that slow cancer cell growth, highlighting exercise as a genuine form of medicine rather than just a lifestyle choice.

Muscles as a Secret Weapon

When we exercise, our muscles don’t just move our bodies — they actively communicate with the rest of the body. Contracting muscles release substances known as myokines, specialised proteins that influence inflammation, metabolism, immune function, and even cancer biology.

These myokines are now recognised as one of the key reasons regular physical activity is linked to better long-term health outcomes — including reduced risk of chronic disease and improved recovery following illness.

What the Research Found

A recent study conducted by researchers at Edith Cowan University investigated how the body responds to different types of exercise in women who had previously been treated for breast cancer.

Participants completed one single session of either resistance training or high-intensity interval training (HIIT). Blood samples were taken before exercise, immediately after, and 30 minutes later.

The results were striking:

Researchers found that just one session of exercise — either resistance training or high-intensity interval training (HIIT) — led to a noticeable increase in myokines, which are protective proteins released by working muscles.

These myokines are known to play a role in supporting the body’s natural defences, and blood samples taken after exercise showed a reduced growth of breast cancer cells in laboratory tests. Importantly, this response was seen immediately after exercise and was still present shortly afterwards.

Why This Matters Beyond Cancer Survivorship

While this study focused on breast cancer survivors, the findings have much wider implications. They reinforce the idea that exercise creates immediate, protective changes inside the body, regardless of age or fitness level.

This also challenges the idea that exercise is only valuable for burning calories. In reality, maintaining and building muscle is crucial — because muscle tissue is what produces myokines in the first place.

Diet-only weight loss may reduce body fat, but it can also reduce muscle mass — potentially limiting the body’s ability to generate these protective signals.

Where Rebounding Fits In

Rebounding — exercising on a fitness trampoline — offers a unique way to access these benefits in a format that is:

Low impact on joints
Highly effective for cardiovascular fitness
Accessible at home
Enjoyable and sustainable

While rebounding isn’t identical to traditional HIIT or resistance training, it naturally combines elements of both. Short bursts of higher intensity movement followed by recovery phases closely resemble interval training, while the resistance created by gravity and the trampoline surface engages muscles continuously.

This makes rebounding an excellent option for people who want the health benefits of exercise without the joint stress or intimidation of high-impact workouts.

Exercise as Medicine — Not Punishment

One of the most powerful takeaways from this research is how quickly the body responds to movement. Exercise doesn’t need to be extreme, punishing, or perfect to be beneficial.

Even a short session can send positive signals throughout the body — reducing inflammation, activating protective pathways, and supporting long-term health.

Rebounding, in particular, removes many of the common barriers to consistency. It’s fun, adaptable, and suitable for a wide range of ages and abilities — making it easier to turn exercise into a habit rather than a chore.

The Bigger Picture

This growing body of research adds to an important shift in how we view physical activity. Exercise is no longer just about aesthetics or weight management — it’s about internal health, resilience, and prevention.

Whether your goal is to improve fitness, support recovery, or simply feel better day-to-day, moving your body regularly matters — and it matters more than we once thought.

Sometimes, one workout really can make a difference.

*Exercise is not a treatment for cancer, but research continues to show how important movement is for long-term health and resilience.

ref – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40608178/

WHAT DO WE OFFER AT BOOGIE BOUNCE?

Rebounder Trampolines: Boogie Bounce’s mini trampoline rebounders provide an exhilarating and low-impact workout that’s easy on your joints. Plus, the cardio benefits are fantastic for your heart health – all from home or at a local class!

Boogie Bounce Classes: Join Boogie Bounce Classes across the UK and benefit from the Boogie Bounce atmosphere and our wonderful, talented instructors.

Strength and Tone Resistance Bands: Combine these with your rebounder routine to amp up the resistance and sculpt your muscles effectively.

Mobile App: Can’t make it to the gym? No problem! Boogie Bounce’s mobile app allows you to follow fitness routines at home, ensuring you never miss a workout.

YouTube Membership: Including everything available on the App, the YouTube membership offers an easy, alternative way to get bouncing!

Visit our shop to see our full selection of rebounders and accessories. Your Boogie Bounce Rebounder is a true ‘Gym-in-a-Bag’

The Boogie Bounce Studio and Elite rebounders are durable, lightweight, have a patented Safety T-Bar, and fold away into a carry bag – making them easy to store in between use. They also start from just £109 with free delivery. Pair the Boogie Bounce app with your smart TV, get started with our beginner routines, and then move onto the full routines, or branch out into our strength and conditioning programmes. You can see all the programmes we offer, here.

If you have any questions that we can help with, please contact us on:

Tel: 0121 354 1190

Email: [email protected]