Practicing 60 minutes of muscle strengthening per week is associated with a 27% reduction in the risk of premature death and constitutes essential protection against age-related muscle mass loss.

noli's read

This advice is based on a robust meta-analysis published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine (2022), which included large-scale observational studies. The correlation between muscle strengthening and a decrease in all-cause mortality is widely supported by current scientific literature. It is, however, important to note that this evidence is observational, meaning it shows a strong association rather than a direct and exclusive causal link. The idea that muscle reserve helps in better navigating hospitalization episodes is a well-documented concept in gerontology known as 'functional reserve.' The 27% figure is an overall statistical estimate and may vary according to individuals and other lifestyle habits. In short, the recommendation is solidly anchored in research, though the exact biological response may vary from one person to another.

the sources

1. 1Wu Y, Wang W, Liu T, Zhang D 2017
2. 2Li R, Xia J, Zhang X, et al. 2018