Muscle-strengthening activities are linked with reduced risk and mortality in adults with major non-communicable diseases.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies was conducted to evaluate the relationship between muscle-strengthening efforts and the hazard of non-communicable illnesses and death, irrespective of aerobic activity.

The reference lists of all relevant articles were examined, and Embase and MEDLINE databases were explored. Prospective cohort studies were included that evaluated the relationship between health outcomes and muscle-strengthening exercises in people aged 18 years or older who did not have any serious medical issues.

The eligibility criteria were satisfied by 16 studies. A 10-17% decreased risk of lung cancer, diabetes, total cancer, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and all-cause mortality was linked to muscle-strengthening activities. No correlation between muscle-strengthening activities and the incidence of various site-specific malignancies was discovered (pancreatic, bladder, kidney, and colon cancers).

For total cancer, CVD, and all-cause mortality, J-shaped associations with the greatest risk decline (roughly 10-20%) at about 30 to 60 minutes per week of muscle-strengthening activities were discovered, whereas an L-shaped link with a significant risk decline at up to 60 minutes per week of muscle-strengthening activities was discovered for diabetes. Combining aerobics and muscle-strengthening exercise reduced the risk of total cancer, CVD, and all-cause mortality.

There was an inverse correlation between muscle-strengthening activities and the risk of major non-communicable illnesses such as lung cancer, diabetes, total cancer, and CVD and all-cause mortality; but, the impact of a larger volume of muscle-strengthening activities on total cancer, CVD, and all-cause mortality is not clear when taking into account observed J-shaped correlations.