Introduction
This study aimed to systematically review and meta-analyze the relationship between
resistance training and all-cause, cardiovascular disease, and cancer mortality.
Methods
Systematic review and meta-analysis following PRISMA guidelines (International Prospective
Register of Systematic Reviews Registration Number CRD42019136654) was conducted.
MEDLINE (OVID), Embase, Emcare, SPORTDiscus, The Cochrane Library, and SCOPUS were
searched from inception to June 6, 2021. Included studies reported resistance training
as the exposure and all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease‒specific mortality,
and/or cancer-specific mortality as outcome/s. Only studies conducted among nonclinical
adult populations (aged ≥18 years) and written in English were included.
Results
A total of 10 studies were included in the meta-analyses. Compared with undertaking
no resistance training, undertaking any amount of resistance training reduced the
risk of all-cause mortality by 15% (RR of 6 studies=0.85; 95% CI=0.77, 0.93), cardiovascular
disease mortality by 19% (RR of 4 studies=0.81; 95% CI=0.66, 1.00), and cancer mortality
by 14% (RR of 5 studies=0.86; 95% CI=0.78, 0.95). A dose–response meta-analysis of
4 studies suggested a nonlinear relationship between resistance training and the risk
of all-cause mortality. A maximum risk reduction of 27% was observed at around 60
minutes per week of resistance training (RR=0.74; 95% CI=0.64, 0.86). Mortality risk
reductions diminished at higher volumes.
Discussion
This systematic review and meta-analysis provides the strongest evidence to date that
resistance training is associated with reduced risk of all-cause, cardiovascular disease,
and cancer-specific mortality. More research is needed to determine whether any potential
mortality benefits gained from resistance training diminish at higher volumes.
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Article Info
Publication History
Published online: May 19, 2022
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© 2022 American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
