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 .
Physiological responses during downhill walking
Skeletal muscle quadriceps low-frequency fatigue ( LFF ) during exercise promotes improvements in exercise capacity with exercise training . In healthy subjects , eccentric muscle work induced by downhill walking ( DW ) generates higher muscular stress , whilst metabolic cost is lower compared to level walking ( LW ) . We investigated quadriceps LFF and metabolic cost of DW in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease . Ten participants ( 67 ± 7 years , FEV1 51 ± 15 % predicted ) performed  DW , DW carrying a load ( DWL ) of 10 % body weight via vest and LW , in r and om order . Quadriceps potentiated twitch force ( TWqpot ) was assessed before and after each walk , and muscle damage was assessed before and 24 hours after each walk via serum creatine kinase ( CK ) levels . Ventilation ( VE ) and oxygen consumption ( VO2 ) were measured via breath-by-breath analysis during each walk . DW and DWL result ed in a greater decrease in TWqpot ( −30 ± 14 N in DW , p < 0.05 ; and −22 ± 16 N in DWL , p < 0.05 ) compared to LW ( −3 ± 21 N , p > 0.05 ) . CK levels only increased 24 hours following DW and DWL ( p < 0.05 ) . DW and DWL showed lower VE and VO2 than LW ( p < 0.05 ) . DW is associated with enhanced quadriceps LFF and lower cardiorespiratory costs than LW . The addition of a chest load to DW does not seem to enhance these effects
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 .