Abstract
Background Resistance training (RT) is an intervention frequently used to improve muscle strength and morphology in old age. However, evidence-based, dose–response relationships regarding specific RT variables (e.g., training period, frequency, intensity, volume) are unclear in healthy old adults.
Highlights
With the onset of the sixth decade in life, degenerative processes affect the neuromuscular system in terms of losses in muscle strength and muscle mass [1,2,3]
The aims of this systematic review and metaanalysis were to determine the general effects of Resistance training (RT) on measures of muscle strength and morphology and to provide dose–response relationships of RT variables through an analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that could improve muscle strength and morphology in healthy old adults
Data Sources A computerized, systematic literature search was performed in the electronic databases PubMed, Web of Science, and The Cochrane Library from January 1984 up to June 2015 to identify all RCTs related to RT in healthy old adults
Summary
With the onset of the sixth decade in life, degenerative processes affect the neuromuscular system in terms of losses in muscle strength (dynapenia) and muscle mass (sarcopenia) [1,2,3]. Neural (e.g., numerical loss of alpha motoneurons) and morphological factors (e.g., reduced number and size of type-II muscle fibers) as well as their interaction are responsible for age-related declines in muscle strength and mass [4]. There is evidence that muscular weakness is highly associated with impaired mobility and an increased risk for falls [5]. The age-related decline in muscle strength is associated with the loss in muscle size (r = 0.66–0.83, p \ 0.001) [6], longitudinal studies found a 1.5 to five times greater decline in muscle strength compared with muscle size [2, 7]. Resistance training (RT) is an intervention frequently used to improve muscle strength and morphology in old age. Evidence-based, dose–response relationships regarding specific RT variables (e.g., training period, frequency, intensity, volume) are unclear in healthy old adults
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
