Long-term Weight Training and Mortality in U.S. Male Health Professionals With and Without Type 2 Diabetes

To investigate the relationship between long-term weight training and mortality in male health professionals with and without type 2 diabetes.

We analyzed 31,140 men without type 2 diabetes and 2,588 with type 2 diabetes from the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (1992–2018). Information on weight training was repeatedly assessed using a biennial questionnaire. Cox regression was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs.

During up to 26 years of follow-up, we documented 12,607 deaths (988 deaths among men with type 2 diabetes). Among participants without type 2 diabetes, 1–59 and 60–149 min/week of long-term weight training were associated with 14% (HR 0.86; 95% CI 0.82–0.89) and 8% (HR 0.92; 95% CI 0.85–0.99) lower mortality versus no weight training, respectively, after adjustment for aerobic activity. However, ≥150 min/week of weight training was not significantly associated with mortality (HR 1.05; 95% CI 0.91–1.20; overall P trend = 0.94; P quadratic < 0.001). Meeting the recommended aerobic physical activity guideline (≥150 min/week) and performing any weight training were associated with 20–34% lower mortality. Among participants with type 2 diabetes, a moderate level of pre-diagnosis weight training was associated with lower mortality, whereas post-diagnosis weight training showed no association. Performing both weight training and aerobic activity before and after diagnosis was associated with lower mortality.

A moderate level of long-term weight training was associated with lower mortality, independently of aerobic activity, among male health professionals with and without type 2 diabetes. Addition of weight training to aerobic activities may provide further benefit in mortality risk reduction. Studies are required to confirm our findings in diverse populations.