Long-term weight training and mortality in US male health professionals with and without type 2 diabetes

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

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

Results: 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 vs. no weight training, respectively, after adjustment for aerobic activities. 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<.001. Meeting recommended aerobic physical activity guideline (≥150 min/week) and any weight training was associated with 20-34% lower mortality. Among participants with type 2 diabetes, moderate level of pre-diagnosis weight training was associated with lower mortality while post-diagnosis weight training showed no association. Performing both weight training and aerobic activities before and after diagnosis was associated with lower mortality.

Conclusions: Moderate level of long-term weight training was associated with lower mortality, independent of aerobic activities among male health professionals with and without type 2 diabetes. Addition of weight training to aerobic activities may provide further benefits for mortality reduction. Studies are needed to confirm our findings in diverse populations.