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 short term elastic resistance training on muscle mass and strength in untrained older adults: a randomized clinical trial
Background The current recommendations on resistance training involving older adults have reported an improvement of body composition variables . Despite this , there is a lack of knowledge on how elastic resistance training ( ERT ) affects the muscle mass in older adults population . The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a short-term ERT on muscle mass of health and untrained older adults . Methods Forty older adults were r and omized into two groups of 20 individuals each : Control Group ( CG = 66.2 ± 6.6 years ) and  Training Group ( TG = 69.1 ± 6.3 years ) . TG underwent an ERT twice a week during 8 weeks and control group did not receive any specific intervention . The primary outcome was the upper and lower limbs muscle mass , measured by Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry . The secondary outcomes were knee isokinetic peak torque ( PT ) at 60 ° /s and 120 ° /s speeds and isometric h and grip strength . A 2 × 2 mixed model ( group [ TG and CG ] × time [ pre and post ] ) analysis of variance ( ANOVA ) was applied to determine the effect on primary and secondary outcomes . Results The results of the ANOVA showed no significant effects in group x time interaction for ( 1 ) upper limbs fat free mass ( F [ 1.38 ] = 1.80 , p = 0.19 , effect size [ ES ] = 0.1 ) and for ( 2 ) lower limbs fat free mass ( F [ 1.38 ] = 0.03 , p = 0.88 , ES = 0.02 ) . Regarding muscle strength , the ANOVA showed no significant effects in group x time interaction for ( 3 ) PT at 60 ° /s ( F [ 1.38 ] = 0.33 , p = 0.56 , ES = 3.0 ) , for ( 4 ) PT at 120 ° /s ( F [ 1.38 ] = 0.80 , p = 0.38 , ES = 4.1 ) and for h and grip strength ( F [ 1.38 ] = 0.65 , p = 0.42-value , ES = 0.9 ) . Analysis of PT in TG showed a significant change of 4.5 % , but only at 120 ° /s ( p = 0.01 ) when comparing pre and post-training ( time interaction ) . Conclusions Eight weeks of ERT did not show significant changes in muscle mass and strength of untrained older adults . Trial registration NCT02253615 ( 09/25/14
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 .