in 2 kind, which is better for longevity
For longevity, both cardio and strength training offer unique but complementary benefits, and the best approach is to combine them.
Benefits of Cardio for Longevity
- Cardio enhances heart and lung health, improves cardiovascular fitness, lowers blood pressure, and reduces risks of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
- Higher aerobic fitness is strongly linked to longer life expectancy, with studies showing 24% to 34% reduced mortality risk from regular moderate to vigorous aerobic exercise.12
Benefits of Strength Training for Longevity
- Strength training builds and maintains muscle mass and bone density, which are crucial for mobility, reducing frailty, and preventing falls in older adults.
- It improves metabolism, reduces risk of chronic diseases, and is associated with 9% to 22% reduced mortality risk.
- Strength training also helps maintain independence and quality of life by preventing age-related muscle loss (sarcopenia).345
Combined Approach for Best Results
Which Is Better?
- If choosing only one, cardio may better reduce cardiovascular risk and extend lifespan.
- Strength training is essential for maintaining muscle strength, preventing frailty, and bone health.
- The ideal for longevity is to do regular cardio plus at least two sessions of strength training weekly.
In summary, a balanced exercise routine incorporating both cardio and strength training is superior for longevity versus one or the other alone, maximizing health benefits across multiple body systems.91011
Footnotes
https://www.nordictrack.com/learn/cardio-vs-strength-training-for-longevity/↩︎
https://carolbike.com/uk/science/cardio-or-weight-training-for-longevity/↩︎
https://www.lukecoutinho.com/blogs/strength-training-vs-cardio/↩︎
https://economictimes.com/magazines/panache/cardio-is-not-enough-scientists-reveal-the-muscle-building-secret-to-healthy-longevity/articleshow/122363586.cms↩︎
https://www.nordictrack.com/learn/cardio-vs-strength-training-for-longevity/↩︎
https://carolbike.com/uk/science/cardio-or-weight-training-for-longevity/↩︎
https://www.gq.com/story/cardio-strength-longevity-3↩︎
https://www.nordictrack.com/learn/cardio-vs-strength-training-for-longevity/↩︎
https://www.lukecoutinho.com/blogs/strength-training-vs-cardio/↩︎
https://www.nordictrack.com/learn/cardio-vs-strength-training-for-longevity/↩︎
https://carolbike.com/uk/science/cardio-or-weight-training-for-longevity/↩︎
https://www.reddit.com/r/Fitness/comments/3e45ov/if_cardio_is_overall_more_important_for_general/↩︎
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2024/03/11/1236791784/strength-resistance-weight-training-longevity-aging-heart-disease↩︎
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10199130/↩︎
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/24/well/move/cardio-strength-training-benefits.html↩︎
https://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/a65175938/walking-vs-strength-training/↩︎
https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2023/01/29/strength-training-all-ages/↩︎
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/want-to-live-longer-and-better-do-strength-training↩︎