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Performance

B · Reasonable confidence

Strength training and the risk of serious disease and death

Subject: Muscle-strengthening activity and risk of serious conditions

What this means

People who did muscle-strengthening exercise had a 10 to 17 percent lower risk of death, cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes. The lowest risk was at around 30 to 60 minutes per week.

Momma H, Kawakami R, Honda T, Sawada SS · 2022 · British Journal of Sports Medicine 56(13):755-763

What does this rating mean?

A solid systematic review with caveats, or consistent indications with a limited scope.

Findings

Muscle-strengthening activity is associated with a lower risk of, and lower mortality from, various serious conditions.

Who this applies to

Adults aged 18 and over without severe health conditions.

What to keep in mind

These are associations, not proven cause and effect. Above about 60 minutes per week the benefit did not keep increasing, so whether more training adds anything is unclear.

Practical conclusion for REZA

REZA uses this as an argument to take strength training seriously, always with the limitation attached. A promise of disease prevention to an individual client would go further than this research allows.

View method and source

Methodology

Systematic review with meta-analysis of cohort studies

Limitations

This is observational research. It shows association, not causation. People who do strength training may differ in other ways from those who don't.

Original source

DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2021-105061 · PMID: 35228201

View on PubMed →

This information is general education about scientific research. It is not personal medical advice and does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a doctor or other healthcare professional. If you have symptoms, a medical condition or take medication, consult your GP or treating professional before changing your training or nutrition.