Resistance Training and Mortality Risk: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Level 1 - systematic review of randomized trials
Systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies
PubMed 35599175 · doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2022.03.020
What was done
A systematic review and meta-analysis following PRISMA guidelines was conducted across six databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Emcare, SPORTDiscus, The Cochrane Library, and SCOPUS) from inception to June 6, 2021. Eligible studies assessed resistance training as an exposure and all-cause, cardiovascular disease (CVD), or cancer mortality as outcomes among nonclinical adults (aged ≥18 years) in English-language publications.
What was found
Ten studies were included. Compared with no resistance training, any resistance training reduced all-cause mortality risk by 15% (RR = 0.85; 95% CI: 0.77, 0.93; 6 studies), CVD mortality by 19% (RR = 0.81; 95% CI: 0.66, 1.00; 4 studies), and cancer mortality by 14% (RR = 0.86; 95% CI: 0.78, 0.95; 5 studies). In dose-response meta-analysis (4 studies), a nonlinear relationship was observed with a maximum all-cause mortality reduction of 27% at around 60 minutes per week (RR = 0.74; 95% CI: 0.64, 0.86), with risk reductions diminishing at higher volumes.
Why it matters
This review quantitatively demonstrates that approximately one hour per week of resistance training is associated with substantial reductions in all-cause, CVD, and cancer mortality, while highlighting potential diminishing benefits at higher volumes.
Limits
The review included only 10 studies overall and only 4 for the dose-response analysis. The included studies are observational cohorts, susceptible to residual confounding and exposure misclassification. The abstract lacks data on participant numbers, exercise intensity, specific modalities, and excluded non-English literature.
Cited by
- supports Engaging in at least 2 to 3 days per week of resistance training and cardiovascular training improves neuromuscular connections, brain health, and heart health.