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 .
Blood pressure, salivary cortisol, and inflammatory cytokine outcomes in senior female cancer survivors enrolled in a tai chi chih randomized controlled trial
Purpose Older cancer survivors are a vulnerable population due to an increased risk for chronic diseases ( e.g. , cardiovascular disease ) compounded with treatment late-effects and declines in physical functioning . Therefore , interventions that reduce chronic disease risk factors ( i.e. , blood pressure , chronic inflammation , and cortisol ) are important in this population . Tai chi chih ( TCC ) is a mind-body exercise associated with reductions in chronic disease risk factors , but has not been examined with older cancer survivors . In a feasibility r and omized controlled trial of TCC , we examined secondary outcomes of blood pressure , salivary cortisol , and inflammatory cytokines ( interleukin (IL)-6 , IL-12 , tumor necrosis factor-α , IL-10 , IL-4 ) due to their implication s in chronic diseases . Methods Sixty-three senior female cancer survivors ( M age = 67 years , SD = 7.15 ) with physical functioning limitations ( SF-12 physical functioning ≤80 or role-physical ≤72 ) were r and omized to 12-weeks ( 60-min , three times a week ) of TCC or Health Education control ( HEC ) classes . Resting blood pressure , 1-day salivary cortisol sample s , and fasting plasma sample s for cytokine multiplex assays were collected at baseline and 1-week post-intervention . Results Controlling for baseline values , the TCC group had significantly lower systolic blood pressure ( SBP , p = 0.002 ) and cortisol area-under-curve ( AUC , p = 0.02 ) at post-intervention than the HEC group . There was no intervention effect on inflammatory cytokines ( p ’s > 0.05 ) . Conclusions This TCC feasibility trial was associated with significant reductions in SBP and cortisol AUC in senior female cancer survivors . Larger , definitive trials are needed to confirm these findings . Implication s for Cancer SurvivorsSenior survivors ’ have an increased risk for chronic diseases ; however , TCC interventions may help reduce associated risk factors
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 .