Resistance training linked to lower premature death risk, study shows

A new study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine examined data from 147,000 participants over a 30‑year period. Researchers from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and other institutions found that performing resistance training for 90 to 119 minutes per week—roughly three 40‑minute sessions—was associated with a 13% lower risk of premature death overall. The benefit was larger for specific causes: a 19% reduction in deaths from cardiovascular disease and a 27% reduction in deaths from neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s. The advantage persisted compared with non‑strength activities and was greater than the effect of aerobic exercise alone. Combining strength work with aerobic activity further minimized mortality risk. While the study does not prove causation, it suggests that regular weight‑lifting may be a key component of longevity‑focused health guidelines.

The research was coordinated by Professor Edward Giovannucci of Harvard and involved co‑author Professor Yiwen Zhang, among others, highlighting the potential public‑health impact of incorporating strength training into standard exercise recommendations.