In frail older persons , moderate-to-large beneficial exercise effects were noted on inflammation , muscle strength and physical functioning .
In healthy older persons , effects of resistance training ( most frequently investigated ) on inflammation or muscle strength can be influenced by the exercise modalities ( intensity and rest interval between sets ) .
Muscle strength seemed the most frequently used outcome measure , with moderate-to-large effects obtained regardless the exercise intervention studied .
Similar effects were found in patients with specific diseases .
Summary Exercise has moderate-to-large effects on muscle strength , body composition , physical functioning and inflammation in older adults .
Purpose of review This systematic review reports the most recent literature regarding the effects of physical exercise on  muscle strength , body composition , physical functioning and inflammation in older adults .
Influence of combined resistance training and healthy diet on muscle mass in healthy elderly women: a randomized controlled trial.
The delivery of efficient nonpharmacological treatment to prevent the loss of muscle mass in older adults is a major challenge , and information on the combined effects of training and diet is particularly important . Here we aim ed to evaluate the effects of 24 wk of resistance training combined with a healthy dietary approach ( n-6/n-3 ratio < 2 ) in a population of healthy and physically active older women ( 65 - 70 years ) . The three-armed r and omized controlled trial included a resistance training + healthy diet group ( RT-HD ) , a resistance training group ( RT ) , and controls ( CON ) . All subjects included in the study were physically active and had low levels of serum inflammatory markers . In accordance with the dietary goals , the  n-6/n-3 ratio dietary intake significantly decreased only in RT-HD by 42 % . An increase in 1 repetition maximum in leg extension occurred in RT ( + 20.4 % ) and RT-HD ( + 20.8 % ) , but not in CON . Interestingly , leg lean mass significantly increased only in RT-HD ( + 1.8 % ) . While there were no changes in serum C-reactive protein and IL-6 levels , a significant decrease in serum level of the pro-inflammatory precursor arachidonic acid ( -5.3 ± 9.4 % ) together with an increase in serum n-3 docosahexaenoic acid ( + 8.3 % ) occurred only in RT-HD . Altogether , this study demonstrates that the effects of resistance training on muscle mass in healthy older adults can be optimized by the adoption of a healthy diet
In frail older persons , moderate-to-large beneficial exercise effects were noted on inflammation , muscle strength and physical functioning .
In healthy older persons , effects of resistance training ( most frequently investigated ) on inflammation or muscle strength can be influenced by the exercise modalities ( intensity and rest interval between sets ) .
Muscle strength seemed the most frequently used outcome measure , with moderate-to-large effects obtained regardless the exercise intervention studied .
Similar effects were found in patients with specific diseases .
Summary Exercise has moderate-to-large effects on muscle strength , body composition , physical functioning and inflammation in older adults .
Purpose of review This systematic review reports the most recent literature regarding the effects of physical exercise on  muscle strength , body composition , physical functioning and inflammation in older adults .