Virginia Tech researchers compared endurance and resistance exercise in mice on a high‑fat diet. The study, published in the Journal of Sport and Health Science, found weightlifting reduced subcutaneous and visceral fat more than running while improving glucose tolerance and lowering insulin resistance.

To mimic weightlifting, researchers built a cage that forced mice to lift a weighted lid to eat, gradually increasing load over days. The endurance group accessed a running wheel, while sedentary mice served as controls on normal or high‑fat diets.

After eight weeks, researchers measured body composition, exercise capacity, heart and muscle function, and blood‑sugar regulation. Muscle tissue analysis revealed enhanced insulin signaling pathways, suggesting metabolic mechanisms beyond muscle mass or performance.

The findings give clinicians a data‑driven basis to recommend resistance training, especially for individuals unable to perform aerobic exercise. The study also points toward drug targets that could mimic the metabolic benefits of weightlifting.