title: [Physical activity for primary prevention of prostate cancer. Possible mechanisms].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  An explanation of the possible connection between physical activity and prevention of prostate cancer was sought by reviewing the controversial data from prospective and case-control studies. Possible preventive mechanisms are to be described.
  
  
  METHODS
  Scientific publications mainly from the past 10 years were reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Because of the postulated dependence of prostate carcinoma on testosterone, lowering the testosterone concentration by physical activity is of importance and seems to be a possible explanation. According to many studies there is a speculative connection between prostate carcinoma and calcium concentration in blood, parathormone and vitamin D(3), and the possibly preventive modulation by physical activity results in another beneficial mechanism. Less specific is the possible increase of the antioxidant capacity of the organism by physical activity. Strength training seems to have adverse effects on testosterone, while possibly yielding a beneficial effect on the immune system.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High intensive physical activity may contribute to the prevention of prostate carcinoma.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung Sportmedizin, Medizinische Klinik, Universitätsklinikum Tübingen, Silcherstraße 5, 72076, Tübingen, Deutschland. hans-christian.heitkamp@med.uni-tuebingen.de
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Heitkamp
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Jelas
mesh_terms: D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D009043:Motor Activity; D011467:Prostate / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D013739:Testosterone