Source credit: British Journal of Sports Medicine – Long-term resistance training with all-cause and cause-specific mortality: assessing dose-response and joint associations with aerobic physical activity.
Summary: A June 12, 2026 analysis of 147,374 adults across three large long-running cohorts found that about 90 to 119 minutes per week of resistance training was associated with lower all-cause, cardiovascular, and neurological-disease mortality compared with doing none. The benefit appeared to plateau above roughly 120 minutes per week, and the lowest overall risk showed up when resistance training was paired with solid aerobic activity.
Why it matters for lifters
- More is not automatically better: The interesting part here is the plateau, which pushes back on the idea that endless extra gym time keeps producing the same health return.
- Strength work still matters outside physique goals: This is a health-outcomes story, not just a performance story, and it reinforces resistance training as part of long-term health maintenance.
- The combo approach still wins: Lifters who ignore basic aerobic work may be leaving broader health upside on the table.
What to watch next
- Watch for follow-up work that separates different lifting styles, intensities, and populations more clearly.
- Watch for better data on how hard-training athletes compare with recreational lifters inside the same dose-response question.
- Remember this is observational research, so it supports a strong pattern without proving causation by itself.
Health disclaimer: This article is informational only and is not medical advice. Exercise planning should reflect your medical history, injury status, and qualified professional guidance where needed.