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 .
Handgrip strength does not represent an appropriate measure to evaluate changes in muscle strength during an exercise intervention program in frail older people.
INTRODUCTION Although h and grip strength is considered a strong predictor of negative health outcomes , it is unclear whether h and grip strength represents a useful measure to evaluate changes in muscle strength following resistance-type exercise training in older people . We assessed whether measuring h and grip strength provides proper insight in the efficacy of resistance-type exercise training to increase muscle mass , strength , and physical performance in frail older people . METHODS Prefrail and frail older people ( ≥ 65 y ) were either conducting a 24-week resistance-type exercise training or no exercise training . Before , during , and after the intervention , h and grip strength ( JAMAR ) , lean body mass ( DXA ) , leg strength ( 1-RM ) , and physical performance ( SPPB ) were assessed . RESULTS H and grip strength correlated with appendicular lean mass ( r = 0.68 ; p < .001 ) and leg strength ( r = 0.67 ; p < .001 ) . After 24 weeks of whole body resistance-type exercise training , leg extension strength improved significantly better when compared with the control group ( 57 ± 2 - 78 ± 3 kg vs 57 ± 3 - 65 ± 3 kg : p < .001 ) . Moreover , physical performance improved significantly more in the exercise group ( 8.0 ± 0.4 - 9.3 ± 0.4 points ) when compared with the control group ( 8.3 ± 0.4 - 8.9 ± 0.4 points : p < .05 ) . These positive changes were not accompanied with any significant changes in h and grip strength ( 26.3 ± 1.2 - 27.6 ± 1.2 kg in the exercise group vs 26.6 ± 1.2 - 26.3 ± 1.3 kg in the control group : p = .71 ) . CONCLUSION Although h and grip strength strongly correlates with muscle mass and leg strength in frail older people , h and grip strength does not provide a valid means to evaluate the efficacy of exercise intervention programs to increase muscle mass or strength in an older population
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 .