Sailor or Drummer

I recall putting together an article some time ago on the value of exercise and the potential impact it may have on slowing the advancement of prostate cancer.

At the time I was part of a prostate cancer research project. It was there where I met a gentleman who mentioned that his urologist suggested he seriously consider taking up some form of vigorous exercise to slow the advancement of any lingering prostate cancer following his surgery.

Dragon Boat racing

While he expected the urologist to suggest something like going to the gym or running or getting on a bike, he was surprised that the suggestion was to get involved with Dragon Boat racing. Dragon Boat racing apparently originated in China more than 2,300 years ago. So this is not a recent fad but rather a "sport" that has been around for quite some time.

If you have never seen Dragon Boat racing, it is a physically-challenging sport. The average boat is 65 feet long and can weigh between 1 and 2 tons. This heavy craft is powered by two sets of paddlers. The crew on this craft includes a steersman and a drummer who sets the pace. The paddlers (also called sailors) sit on both sides of the boat: 8 or 10 to a side to keep balance as they row forward using custom-designed paddles.

Physically exhausting

The steersman sits in an elevated position in the back of the boat and guides the direction of the craft. In this type of racing, the drummer is the soul of a dragon boat team as he or she sets the unified paddle pace. Five minutes into this conversation I knew I wanted to be a drummer vs paddler.

The races are physically exhausting, as are the daily training runs designed to keep the team in top shape. I learned that his particular team practiced 5 days a week after work on the East River in New York City. That is called dedication to your sport.

Exercise and prostate cancer

Today there are a growing number of studies that suggest exercise and diet may play a part in slowing the progression of prostate cancer. That aside, it is important to understand that any physical activity may not only benefit your prostate but can also be good for your heart, your mood, and your overall well-being.¹

Staying physically active even if you are only engaged in light physical activity can impact your mood and outlook in a positive way.

Evidence points to the fact that regular physical activity can increase overall blood flow to all parts of the body, including the brain. This increase in oxygen and nutrient levels surging through your veins is believed to be responsible for overall improvements in mood, recall, and potentially memory.²

Looking at potential benefits

As noted earlier, being physical does not mean you have to run a marathon or ride 20+ miles several days a week as I do. All you may need is some light walking. Even a casual and leisurely pace may be of help.

No matter how you look at it exercise, eating right, and getting involved socially with other people can be good for your brain, your overall health, and potentially your prostate. Sure looks like that is a winning combination that is hard to beat.