A major study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that resistance training substantially reduces mortality risk across multiple causes, particularly when combined with aerobic exercise. Researchers analyzed data from 147,374 adults and found that people performing between 90 and 119 minutes of resistance training per week had a 13% lower risk of death from any cause compared to those doing no strength training.
The mortality benefits were even more pronounced for specific conditions. The same group experienced a 19% lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease and a 27% lower risk of death from neurological diseases, most of which were related to dementia. Adults who regularly participated in both resistance and aerobic exercise had up to a 45% lower risk of death than those with little aerobic activity and no resistance training. Notably, the research found no additional reduction in mortality risk beyond about 120 minutes of resistance training per week.
The study, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, followed participants for up to 30 years, repeatedly tracking exercise habits over time to provide a complete picture of long-term behavior patterns. Researchers acknowledged limitations: the study relied on self-reported exercise habits and primarily included white, middle-aged and older health professionals, which may limit how broadly findings apply to the general population. The research demonstrates a connection between strength training and lower death risk but cannot definitively prove that lifting weights alone caused participants to live longer. Experts emphasize that resistance training preserves muscle mass and bone density, improves balance, and supports physical function—helping people maintain independence and quality of life as they age.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://newspub.live/health/this-exercise-habit-may-slash-dementia-risk-and-help-you-live-longer-study-finds/