Does resistance training improve upper and lower extremity muscle strength and muscle morphology in healthy old adults?
Resistance training effectively improves muscle strength and morphology in healthy older adults, with specific dose-response relationships for training variables like intensity and rest.
This systematic literature review and meta-analysis confirmed the effectiveness of RT on specific measures of upper and lower extremity muscle strength and muscle morphology in healthy old adults. In addition, we were able to extract dose-response relationships for key training variables (i.e., volume, intensity, rest), informing clinicians and practitioners to design effective RTs for muscle strength and morphology. Training period, intensity, time under tension, and rest in between sets play an important role in improving muscle strength and morphology and should be implemented in exercise training programs targeting healthy old adults. Still, further research is needed to reveal optimal dose-response relationships following RT in healthy as well as mobility limited and/or frail old adults.
Borde et al. (Tue,) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: