Staying fit is known to ward off certain lifestyle diseases, and weight training plays an important role—especially as we age.

Here are conditions that weight training helps to prevent, helps to manage, or that aids in recovery and rehabilitation.

For some of these conditions, an experienced exercise physiologist with strength training qualifications may be required, and treatment may best proceed in conjunction with a medical practitioner.

Loss of Muscle (Sarcopenia)

From about the age of 35, muscle is progressively lost from the body unless an effort is made to counter the loss. Muscle is also lost during states of illness and disease. The loss of muscle is called sarcopenia. Resistance training can increase or maintain muscle, or slow the rate of muscle loss.

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a condition characterized by the failure to produce sufficient insulin in the body that results in high levels of blood glucose. This can cause a range of conditions, including heart disease, nerve damage to the feet, and even kidney disease. Resistance and strength training builds muscle that increases general fitness and provides additional storage for glucose.

People with type 1 diabetes may also benefit from weight training.

Heart Disease

Weight training can reduce your risk of developing cardiac disease. Specifically, resistance training has been shown to reduce blood pressure, increase HDL cholesterol—that is, "good" cholesterol—and to reduce blood glucose and insulin levels. The same kinds of benefits can be seen in people who already have heart disease.For this reason, resistance training should be included as part of a complete cardiac rehabilitation program.

Stroke

Progressive resistance training is a safe and effective way to improve muscle strength after a stroke. Improvements in muscle strength influence walking and movement performance, as well as activity participation. Current recommendations for stroke rehabilitation include strength training, which can be an effective form of fitness training for subjects with minor weakness.

Osteoporosis

For many people, bone loss and thinning can be arrested with appropriate exercise. Weight-bearing exercise of the type used in strength training (with free weights or machines) is an established form of a weight-bearing workout that can ward against osteoporosis

Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease is a progressive disease of the nervous system marked by physical shakes, muscular rigidity, and slow, uncertain movement. It affects mainly middle-aged and elderly people. In at least one study, a progressive resistance training program improved walking initiation, speed, and power in a study group

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the loss of the cartilage (and bone) that protects the joints. Osteoarthritis occurs mostly from middle age and into old age. Osteoarthritis causes pain and stiffness, especially in the hip, knee, and thumb joints. Somewhat paradoxically, weight training can be useful in managing the disease

Osteoarthritis should be distinguished from rheumatoid arthritis, which is an autoimmune disease.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Progressive resistance training also has established strength and functional benefits for sufferers of rheumatoid arthritis.

Cancer

Weight training has been utilized with some success during therapy and recovery from cancer to maintain muscle mass and overall weight, which may be lost as a result of chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is a progressive disease of the nervous system. Symptoms may include numbness, impairment of speech and of muscle coordination, blurred vision, and fatigue. In recent years, progressive strength training has been recognized as an effective tool in the management of people with multiple sclerosis.

Aging = Muscle Loss = Disease  Are You At Risk: Learn More