Using data collected from 147,374 participants over a period of up to 30 years, this study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that people completing 90–119 minutes of resistance training each week experienced:
- a 13% lower risk of death from any cause,
- a 19% lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease, and
- a 27% lower risk of death from neurological disease.
These benefits remained even after accounting for other lifestyle factors, including levels of aerobic activity.
Interestingly, completing more than 120 minutes of resistance training per week did not appear to give additional benefits.
The findings also showed that the greatest drop in the risk of death was seen among people who combined high levels of both aerobic activity and resistance training.
This reinforces the importance of promoting a balanced approach to physical activity.
Encouraging people to include both aerobic and strength-based exercise within their weekly routines could help maximise long-term health benefits and support healthier ageing outcomes across the population.