Population aging is a global phenomenon with profound health, social, and economic implications. In adults aged ≥ 65 years, aging is associated with sarcopenia, functional decline, increased fall risk, and a heightened prevalence of chronic non-communicable diseases. Physical inactivity, which affects more than half of this population, is a key modifiable determinant of disability and mortality. This narrative review critically synthesizes recent scientific evidence on the benefits of physical exercise for older adults, covering physiological, cognitive, functional, and psychosocial domains. Evidence has demonstrated that resistance training mitigates sarcopenia, improves bone mineral density, and enhances insulin sensitivity; aerobic exercise promotes cardiovascular adaptations, reduces blood pressure, and supports cognitive performance; balance training lowers the fall incidence by up to 40%; and flexibility exercises maintain joint range of motion and functional independence. Multicomponent programs yield synergistic effects, improving maximal oxygen consumption, muscle strength, neuroplasticity, and psychosocial well-being while potentially modulating biological aging markers. Although the injury risk is low, targeted preventive strategies and professional supervision enhance safety. Future perspectives include exercise-mimetic pharmacology, extended reality, artificial intelligence-driven personalized training, and advanced biomarker monitoring, alongside ethical considerations regarding autonomy, equity, and privacy. Integrating individualized, multicomponent exercise into geriatric healthcare represents one of the most cost-effective interventions to extend healthspan, reduce healthcare burden, and promote active aging worldwide.
Juan Enrique Puche (Sat,) studied this question.