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 Whole Body Vibration in Patients With COPD
Background : Whole body vibration training ( WBVT ) improves muscle force in healthy subjects .  Resistance training ( RT ) is an important component of a pulmonary program . Aim : To investigate the effects of either 12 weeks WBVT or RT , both provided after 15 min of aerobic training as warming up . Methods : COPD patients , referred for pulmonary rehabilitation , were r and omized to either a WBVT or a conventional RT group . Primary outcome was the change in 6 Minute Walking Distance ( 6MWD ) after 12 weeks . Maximum exercise capacity ( Wmax ) , quadriceps force ( QF ) , quality of life ( QoL ) and number of responders , defined as the percentage of patients reaching the minimally clinical ly important difference ( MCID ) for the aforementioned outcome measurements were the secondary outcomes . Data are expressed as medians ( interquartile range ) . Results : 62 patients with COPD were included . After WBVT , 6MWD improved by 35 ( -14 - 76 ) m ( p = 0.003 ) , Wmax by 7 ( 2 - 23 ) Watt ( p = 0.001 ) , QoL by 13 ( 4 - 25 ) points ( p = 0.002 ) and QF by 9 ( -16 - 29 ) Nm ( NS ) . In the RT-group , 6MWD , Wmax , QoL and QF increased significantly , with 60 ( -13 - 96 ) m ( p < 0.001 ) , 12 ( 8 - 18 ) Watt ( p < 0.001 ) , 11 ( 3 - 16 ) points ( p = 0.002 ) and 12 ( -3 - 44 ) Nm ( p = 0.009 ) , respectively . The MCID for 6MWD ( 54 m ) was reached by 8/26 patients in the WBVT-group and by 16/25 patients in RT-group ( p = 0.05 ) . No significant differences between groups were observed for the primary and secondary outcomes . Conclusions : WBVT after 15 min aerobic training enhances 6MWD , Wmax and QoL in COPD patients ; however only 30 % of patients reached the MCID for 6MWD
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 .