Incorporating resistance training into one’s regular exercise regimen may help combat the development of various metabolic disorders, according to findings published in The Journal of Clinical Hypertension.

During the recent trial, researchers had a group of individuals who were considered overweight or obese follow a two-part exercise program, which would result in the natural cycle of losing and gaining weight.

For the first phase, participants were asked to eat a healthy diet and increase their physical activity for 8 to 12 weeks. As a result, the group lost between 4 and 6 percent of their total body weight.

The second part of the study required the volunteers to follow a 45-minute resistance training program three times per week. By following this regimen, the individuals regained approximately 50 percent of the weight they lost during the first phase of the trial.

The team concluded that consistent resistance-related exercise as opposed to an aerobic workout could help protect the body against cardiovascular disease, diabetes metabolic complications, regardless of some weight gain.

Shana Warner, co-author of the study, stated that “long-term weight loss maintenance is uncommon without regular exercise, and [it’s] very important to address other things that can be done to maintain health as opposed to focusing solely on body weight.”

Each year, approximately 47 million people in the U.S. are diagnosed with a metabolic disorder, the American Heart Association reports.