Key result
Resistance exercise at least twice weekly is linked to a ~4% lower TC:HDL-C ratio.
Why the study?
Previous studies showing resistance exercise positively impacts cardiometabolic health independent of moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) relied on self-reported MVPA, which is prone to bias.
Does resistance exercise frequency improve cardiometabolic health independent of device-measured moderate-vigorous physical activity in middle-aged adults?
Cross-Sectional (n=4,881)
Does resistance exercise frequency improve cardiometabolic health independent of device-measured moderate-vigorous physical activity in middle-aged adults?
Regular resistance exercise (≥2 times/week) is associated with a more favorable TC:HDL-C profile independent of device-measured MVPA and other health behaviors, though associations with blood pressure and HbA1c appear largely explained by behavioral clustering.
Should not yet change practice; leaves open whether resistance exercise frequency independently improves cardiometabolic markers prospectively.
Purpose Resistance exercise (RE) has been shown to have a positive impact on cardiometabolic health, independent of moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). However, previous studies primarily used self-reported MVPA data, which are prone to bias. The aim of this study was to examine if the association between RE frequency and cardiometabolic health was independent of device-measured MVPA. Methods Cross-sectional analyses were conducted using participants from the 1970 British Cohort Study. This included up to 4,881 participants (age 46–48) with outcome-specific analytical samples. RE frequency data were collected via self-report. MVPA data were collected via thigh-worn accelerometry. Cardiometabolic outcomes included systolic blood pressure (SBP), total cholesterol:high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TC:HDL-C) ratio, and HbA1c. Associations between RE frequency and each outcome were tested using multivariable linear regression and presented as percent differences. Covariates included sex, MVPA, smoking status, alcohol consumption, educational attainment, self-rated health, and disability. Results Compared to ‘no RE’, RE frequency was inversely associated with SBP (percent difference [95% CI]; 2–4 times/month: −1.28% [−2.38, −0.19]; ≥ 2 times/week: −1.12% [−2.11, −0.14]), TC:HDL-C (2–4 times/month: −5.00% [−8.19, −1.81]; ≥ 2 times/week: −7.04% [−9.89, −4.19]), and HbA1c (2–4 times/month: -3.04% [−4.76,−1.32]; ≥ 2 times/week: -3.03% [−4.56,−1.50]) in models adjusted for sex and MVPA. These associations were attenuated after adjusting for all covariates, except for an inverse association between RE frequency ≥ 2 times/week and TC:HDL-C (−3.99% [−6.83,−1.15]). Conclusion We identified consistent inverse associations between RE frequency and cardiometabolic outcomes. Associations were largely maintained after adjustment for sex and device-measured MVPA, but were mostly attenuated after additional adjustment for behavioral and health-related covariates. Only TC:HDL-C remained independently associated with high-frequency RE, suggesting that regular RE may be associated with a more favorable TC:HDL-C profile independent of MVPA.
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Narang et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Cardiometabolic health (n=4,881). Resistance exercise frequency vs. No resistance exercise was evaluated on Total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol (TC:HDL-C) ratio (-3.99% difference, 95% CI -6.83 to -1.15). Resistance exercise of at least 2 times per week was independently associated with a 3.99% lower total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol ratio compared to no resistance exercise.
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