Researchers have reported that regular strength training may help us to live longer. Scientists followed the exercise habits and health of nearly 150,000 adults for 30 years. The study found that people who did moderate amounts of strength training on a regular basis had a lower risk of dying at a younger age. The researchers suggested that such exercise protected people from cardiovascular problems, such as heart disease and strokes, and mental illnesses. People in the study who did up to two hours of strength training every week had a 13 per cent lower risk of dying. There was a 19 per cent reduced risk of dying from cardiovascular disease and a 27 per cent lower risk of dying from mental illnesses.

The researchers said our muscles play an important part in keeping us alive for longer. Stronger muscles provide many health benefits. Muscles help to control how much glucose, sugar, and harmful fats are in our body. If we do not keep our muscles active, they do not burn up so much sugar and fat. Instead, they are turned into body fat. Too much body fat can lead to diabetes, heart disease and other health problems. The website ZME Science advised people to do a variety of exercises. It wrote: "Keep walking, cycling, swimming, or doing whatever gets your heart rate up. But add some resistance work too." The study is published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.