Breaking the Sedentary Cycle: The Role of Resistance Training in Cardiovascular Health and Disease Prevention

Abstract

Purpose of Review Sedentary behavior is increasingly recognized as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), yet prevention efforts continue to emphasize aerobic exercise while underutilizing resistance training (RT). This review synthesizes recent evidence (2018-2025) examining how sedentary behavior, physical activity, and RT jointly influence cardiovascular risk, with particular attention to translational and population health implications. Recent Findings Large-scale epidemiologic studies consistently link prolonged sedentary time to increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, even among physically active adults. Emerging mechanistic and intervention evidence demonstrates that RT favorably modifies vascular function, metabolic health, autonomic regulation, and functional capacity. Community-and clinic-based RT interventions show promise in reducing sedentary risk, particularly among older adults and high-risk populations. Summary Reframing cardiovascular prevention to explicitly include RT offers a scalable, equitable, and physiologically targeted strategy to counteract sedentary behavior-related cardiovascular risk. Greater integration of RT into research, practice, and policy is warranted globally.