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 .
Effects of eccentric-focused and conventional resistance training on strength and functional capacity of older adults
The aim of the study was to assess the effect of eccentric training using a constant load with longer exposure time at the eccentric phase on knee extensor muscle strength and functional capacity of elderly subjects in comparison with a conventional resistance training program . Twenty-six healthy elderly women ( age = 67 ± 6 years ) were r and omly assigned to an eccentric-focused training group ( ETG ; n = 13 ) or a conventional training group ( CTG ; n = 13 ) . Subjects underwent 12 weeks of resistance training twice a week . For the ETG , concentric and eccentric phases were performed using 1.5 and 4.5 s , respectively , while for CTG , each phase lasted 1.5 s. Maximum dynamic strength was assessed by the one-repetition maximum ( 1RM ) test in the leg press and knee extension exercises , and for functional capacity , subjects performed specific tests ( 6-m walk test , timed up- and -go test , stair-climbing test , and chair-rising test ) . Both groups improved knee extension 1RM ( 24–26 % ; p = 0.021 ) , timed up- and -go test ( 11–16 % ; p < 0.001 ) , 6-m walk test ( 9–12 % ; p = 0.004 ) , stair-climbing test ( 8–13 % ; p = 0.007 ) , and chair-rising test ( 15–16 % ; p < 0.001 ) , but there was no significant difference between groups . In conclusion , the strategy of increasing the exposure time at the eccentric phase of movement using the same training volume and intensity does not promote different adaptations in strength or functional capacity compared to conventional resistance training in elderly woman
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 .