DOCTOR’S NOTE
Lifting weights almost halves the risk of premature death among the over-50s.
A study by Dr Jessica Gorzelitz, of the National Cancer Institute in Rockville, Maryland, US found muscle strengthening workouts protect against almost every lifethreatening illness.
Best results were seen in those who combined lifting weights with aerobic exercise and the benefit was strongest in women.
Participants, with an average age of 71, meeting the aerobic activity guidelines and weightlifting at least one or two times every week had a 41% to 47% lower risk of death.
The “regular” weightlifters were found to have a 14% lower risk of death. And for others who met the aerobic activity levels that shot up to 32%.
The study found adults who reported any weightlifting at all had a 9% lower “all-cause mortality risk”.