Summary
- A new study suggests that doing 90 to 120 minutes of weight training or strength-building exercise per week may significantly reduce the risk of premature death.
- Researchers from Harvard University studied 147,373 individuals in the United States over a 30-year period and found that people who performed around two hours of strength training per week had a 13% lower risk of death from any cause.
- However, researchers also noted that doing more than two hours of strength training per week did not provide additional benefits.
A new study suggests that doing 90 to 120 minutes of weight training or strength-building exercise per week may significantly reduce the risk of premature death.
Researchers from Harvard University studied 147,373 individuals in the United States over a 30-year period and found that people who performed around two hours of strength training per week had a 13% lower risk of death from any cause.
When examining deaths caused by heart disease or stroke, the reduction in risk increased to 19%. The study also found that individuals who used weights or resistance equipment such as resistance bands had a 27% lower risk of death from neurological diseases even after accounting for other forms of physical activity such as aerobic exercise.
However, researchers also noted that doing more than two hours of strength training per week did not provide additional benefits. The findings were published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine which recommends combining aerobic exercise with strength training for a longer and healthier life.
Tom Burton, Strategic Lead for Health and Wellbeing Policy at Sport England supported the findings stating that strength-based activities are a highly effective tool for healthy ageing. He added that such exercises help prevent or delay poor health, maintain mobility and independence and reduce pressure on healthcare systems.
He further noted that active lifestyles help prevent 3.3 million chronic disease cases annually and save the healthcare system around £8 billion per year emphasizing the importance of making physical activity accessible to everyone.
According to NHS guidelines, adults should perform strength-building activities that work all major muscle groups at least two days per week along with at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise weekly.
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