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 .
The Effects of 52 Weeks of Soccer or Resistance Training on Body Composition and Muscle Function in +65-Year-Old Healthy Males – A Randomized Controlled Trial
The effects of 52 weeks of soccer or resistance training were investigated in untrained elderly men . The subjects aged 68.1±2.1 yrs were r and omised into a soccer ( SG ; n = 9 ) , a resistance ( RG ; n = 9 ) and a control group ( CG ; n = 8) . The subjects in SG and RG , respectively , trained 1.7±0.3 and 1.8±0.3 times weekly on average during the intervention period . Muscle function and body composition were determined before and after 16 and 52 weeks of the intervention period . In SG , BMI was reduced by 1.5 % and 3.0 % ( p<0.05 ) after 16 and 52 weeks , respectively , unchanged in RG and 2 % higher ( p<0.05 ) in CG after 52 weeks of the intervention period . In SG , the response to a glucose tolerance test was 16 % lower ( p<0.05 ) after 16 wks , but not after 52 wks , compared to before the intervention period , and unchanged in RG and CG . In SG , superoxide dismutase-2 expression was 59 % higher ( p<0.05 ) after 52 wks compared to before the intervention period , and unchanged in RG and CG . In RG , upper body lean mass was 3 and 2 % higher ( p<0.05 ) after 16 and 52 wks , respectively , compared to before the intervention period , and unchanged in SG and CG . In RG , Akt-2 expression increased by 28 % ( p<0.01 ) and follistatin expression decreased by 38 % ( p<0.05 ) during the 52-wk intervention period , and was unchanged in SG and CG . Thus , long-term soccer training  reduces BMI and improves anti-oxidative capacity , while long-term resistance training impacts muscle protein enzyme expression and  increases lean body mass in elderly men . Trial Registration Clinical Trials.gov :
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 .