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 .
Short rest interval lengths between sets optimally enhance body composition and performance with 8 weeks of strength resistance training in older men
Purpose To determine if 8 weeks of periodized strength resistance training ( RT ) utilizing relatively short rest interval lengths ( RI ) in between sets ( SS ) would induce greater improvements in body composition and muscular performance , compared to the same RT program utilizing extended RI ( SL ) . Methods 22 male volunteers ( SS : n = 11 , 65.6 ± 3.4 years ; SL : n = 11 , 70.3 ± 4.9 years ) were assigned to one of two strength RT groups , following 4 weeks of periodized hypertrophic RT ( PHRT ) : strength RT with 60-s RI ( SS ) or strength RT with 4-min RI ( SL ) . Prior to r and omization , all 22 study participants trained 3 days/week , for 4 weeks , targeting hypertrophy ; from week 4 to week 12 , SS and SL followed the same periodized strength RT program for 8 weeks , with RI the only difference in their RT prescription . Results Following PHRT , all study participants experienced increases in lean body mass ( LBM ) ( p < 0.01 ) , upper and lower body strength ( p < 0.001 ) , and dynamic power ( p < 0.001 ) , as well as decreases in percentage body fat ( p < 0.05 ) . Across the 8-week strength RT phase , SS experienced significantly greater increases in LBM ( p = 0.001 ) , flat machine bench press 1-RM ( p < 0.001 ) , bilateral leg press 1-RM ( p < 0.001 ) , narrow/neutral grip lat pulldown ( p < 0.01 ) , and Margaria stair-climbing power ( p < 0.001 ) , compared to SL . Conclusions This study suggests 8 weeks of periodized high-intensity strength RT with shortened RI induces significantly greater enhancements in body composition , muscular performance , and functional performance , compared to the same RT prescription with extended RI , in older men . Applied professionals may optimize certain RT-induced adaptations , by incorporating shortened RI
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 .