A large prospective study followed 147,374 adults for up to 30 years and examined the relationship between resistance training, aerobic exercise, and mortality.
Performing 90–119 minutes of resistance training per week was associated with:
13% lower all-cause mortality
19% lower cardiovascular mortality
27% lower mortality from neurological diseases
The mortality benefits of resistance training appeared to plateau beyond approximately 120 minutes per week.
Individuals who performed both resistance training and aerobic exercise had lower mortality risk than those who performed either type of exercise alone.
The lowest mortality risk was observed in participants who combined:
60–119 minutes of resistance training per week
30–45 MET-hours of aerobic activity per week
For context, 30–45 MET-hours/week is roughly equivalent to:
7–11 hours of brisk walking per week, or
3–6 hours of jogging/running per week, depending on intensity.
The study was observational, meaning it found associations but cannot prove that the exercise itself directly caused the reductions in mortality.
The findings support current public health recommendations that encourage a combination of:
Regular resistance training
Regular aerobic activity
Long-term consistency
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