Skip to main content
Log in

Adaptations to Aerobic and Resistance Exercise in the Elderly

  • Published:
Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders Aims and scope Submit manuscript

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

References

  1. Buskirk ER, Hodgson JL. Age and aerobic power: the rate of change in men and women. Fed Proc 1987;46:1824–1829.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Heath GW, Hagberg JM, Ehsani AA, Holloszy JO. A physiological comparison of young and older endurance athletes. J Appl Physiol 1981;51:634–640.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Robinson S. Experimental studies of physical fitness in relation to age. Arbeitphysiologie 1938;10:251.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Bortz WMt,Bortz WM, 2nd. How fast do we age? Exercise performance over time as a biomarker. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 1996;51:M223–225.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Pollock ML, Foster C, Knapp D, Rod JL, Schmidt DH. Effect of age and training on aerobic capacity and body composition of master athletes. J Appl Physiol 1987;62:725–731.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Ogawa T, Spina RJ, Martin WH, 3rd, Kohrt WM, Schechtman KB, Holloszy JO, Ehsani AA. Effects of aging, sex, and physical training on cardiovascular responses to exercise. Circulation 1992;86:494–503.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Coggan AR, Spina RJ, King DS, Rogers MA, Brown M, Nemeth PM, Holloszy JO. Histochemical and enzymatic comparison of the gastrocnemius muscle of young and elderly men and women. J Gerontol1992;47:B71–76.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Proctor DN, Joyner MJ. Skeletal muscle mass and the reduction of VO2 max in trained older subjects. J Appl Physiol 1997;82:1411–1415.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Rosen MJ, Sorkin JD, Goldberg AP, Hagberg JM, Katzel LI. Predictors of age-associated decline in maximal aerobic capacity: a comparison of four statistical models. J Appl Physiol 1998;84:2163–2170.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Adams GM, DeVries HA. Physiological effects of an exercise training regimen upon women aged 52 to 79. J Gerontol 1973;28:50–55.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Benestad AM. Trainability of old men. Acta Med Scand 1965;178:321–327.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Niinimaa V, Shephard RJ. Training and oxygen conductance in the elderly. I. The respiratory system. J Gerontol 1978;33:354–361.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Suominen H, Heikkinen E, Liesen H, Michel D, Hollmann W. Effects of 8 weeks’ endurance training on skeletal muscle metabolism in 56–70-year-old sedentary men. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 1977;37:173–180.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Makrides L, Heigenhauser GJ, Jones NL. High-intensity endurance training in 20- to 30- and 60- to 70-yr-old healthy men. J Appl Physiol 1990;69:1792–1798.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Seals DR, Hagberg JM, Hurley BF, Ehsani AA, Holloszy JO. Endurance training in older men and women. I. Cardiovascular responses to exercise. J Appl Physiol 1984;57:1024–1029.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Hagberg JM, Graves JE, Limacher M, Woods DR, Leggett SH, Cononie C, Gruber JJ, Pollock ML. Cardiovascular responses of 70- to 79-yr-old men and women to exercise training. J Appl Physiol 1989;66:2589–2594.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Kohrt WM, Malley MT, Coggan AR, Spina RJ, Ogawa T, Ehsani AA, Bourey RE, Martin WH, 3rd, Holloszy JO. Effects of gender, age, and fitness level on response of VO2 max to training in 60–71 yr olds. J Appl Physiol 1991;71:2004–2011.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Meredith CN, Frontera WR, Fisher EC, Hughes VA, Herland JC, Edwards J, Evans WJ. Peripheral effects of endurance training in young and old subjects. J Appl Physiol 1989;66:2844–2849.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Spina RJ, Ogawa T, Kohrt WM, Martin WH, 3rd, Holloszy JO, Ehsani AA. Differences in cardiovascular adaptations to endurance exercise training between older men and women. J Appl Physiol 1993;75:849–855.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Spina RJ, Turner MJ, Ehsani AA. Beta-adrenergic-mediated improvement in left ventricular function by exercise training in older men. Am J Physiol 1998;274:H397–404.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Spina RJ, Rashid S, Davila-Roman VG, Ehsani AA. Adaptations in beta-adrenergic cardiovascular responses to training in older women. J Appl Physiol 2000;89:2300–2305.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Kent-Braun JA, Ng AV. Skeletal muscle oxidative capacity in young and older women and men. J Appl Physiol 2000;89:1072–1078.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Coggan AR, Spina RJ, King DS, Rogers MA, Brown M, Nemeth PM, Holloszy JO. Skeletal muscle adaptations to endurance training in 60- to 70-yr-old men and women. J Appl Physiol 1992;72:1780–1786.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Sial S, Coggan AR, Carroll R, Goodwin J, Klein S. Fat and carbohydrate metabolism during exercise in elderly and young subjects. Am J Physiol 1996;271:E983–989.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Sial S, Coggan AR, Hickner RC, Klein S. Training-induced alterations in fat and carbohydrate metabolism during exercise in elderly subjects. Am J Physiol 1998;274:E785–790.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Jakobi JM, Rice CL. Voluntary muscle activation varies with age and muscle group. J Appl Physiol 2002;93:457–462.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Yue GH, Ranganathan VK, Siemionow V, Liu JZ, Sahgal V. Older adults exhibit a reduced ability to fully activate their biceps brachii muscle. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci1999;54:M249–253.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Connelly DM, Rice CL, Roos MR, Vandervoort AA. Motor unit firing rates and contractile properties in tibialis anterior of young and old men. J Appl Physiol 1999;87:843–852.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Kent-Braun JA, Ng AV. Specific strength and voluntary muscle activation in young and elderly women and men. J Appl Physiol 1999;87:22–29.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Roos MR, Rice CL, Connelly DM, Vandervoort AA. Quadriceps muscle strength, contractile properties, and motor unit firing rates in young and old men. Muscle Nerve1999;22:1094–1103.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Phillips SK, Bruce SA, Newton D, Woledge RC. The weakness of old age is not due to failure of muscle activation. J Gerontol 1992;47:M45–49.

    Google Scholar 

  32. Morse CI, Thom JM, Davis MG, Fox KR, Birch KM, Narici MV. Reduced plantarflexor specific torque in the elderly is associated with a lower activation capacity. Eur J Appl Physiol 2004;92:219–226.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Vandervoort AA, McComas AJ. Contractile changes in opposing muscles of the human ankle joint with aging. J Appl Physiol 1986;61:361–367.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Hakkinen K, Kraemer WJ, Newton RU, Alen M. Changes in electromyographic activity, muscle fibre and force production characteristics during heavy resistance/power strength training in middle-aged and older men and women. Acta Physiol Scand2001;171:51–62.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Izquierdo M, Ibanez J, Gorostiaga E, Garrues M, Zuniga A, Anton A, Larrion JL, Hakkinen K. Maximal strength and power characteristics in isometric and dynamic actions of the upper and lower extremities in middle-aged and older men. Acta Physiol Scand 1999;167:57–68.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Klein CS, Rice CL, Marsh GD. Normalized force, activation, and coactivation in the arm muscles of young and old men. J Appl Physiol 2001;91:1341–1349.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Stackhouse SK, Stevens JE, Johnson CD, Snyder-Mackler L, Binder-Macleod SA. Predictability of maximum voluntary isometric knee extension force from submaximal contractions in older adults. Muscle Nerve2003;27:40–45.

    Google Scholar 

  38. Frontera WR, Hughes VA, Fielding RA, Fiatarone MA, Evans WJ, Roubenoff R. Aging of skeletal muscle: a 12-yr longitudinal study. J Appl Physiol 2000;88:1321–1326.

    Google Scholar 

  39. Borkan GA, Hults DE, Gerzof SG, Robbins AH, Silbert CK. Age changes in body composition revealed by computed tomography. J Gerontol1983;38:673–677.

    Google Scholar 

  40. Janssen I, Heymsfield SB, Wang ZM, Ross R. Skeletal muscle mass and distribution in 468 men and women aged 18–88 yr. J Appl Physiol 2000;89:81–88.

    Google Scholar 

  41. Rice CL, Cunningham DA, Paterson DH, Lefcoe MS. Arm and leg composition determined by computed tomography in young and elderly men. Clin Physiol 1989;9:207–220.

    Google Scholar 

  42. Cohn SH, Vartsky D, Yasumura S, Sawitsky A, Zanzi I, Vaswani A, Ellis KJ. Compartmental body composition based on total-body nitrogen, potassium, and calcium. Am J Physiol 1980;239:E524–530.

    Google Scholar 

  43. Lexell J. Human aging, muscle mass, and fiber type composition. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 1995;50 Spec No:11–16.

    Google Scholar 

  44. Bottinelli R, Canepari M, Pellegrino MA, Reggiani C. Force-velocity properties of human skeletal muscle fibres: myosin heavy chain isoform and temperature dependence. J Physiol 1996;495(Pt 2):573–586.

    Google Scholar 

  45. Thorstensson A, Grimby G, Karlsson J. Force-velocity relations and fiber composition in human knee extensor muscles. J Appl Physiol 1976;40:12–16.

    Google Scholar 

  46. Thorstensson A, Larsson L, Tesch P, Karlsson J. Muscle strength and fiber composition in athletes and sedentary men. Med Sci Sports1977;9:26–30.

    Google Scholar 

  47. Coyle EF, Costill DL, Lesmes GR. Leg extension power and muscle fiber composition. Med Sci Sports 1979;11:12–15.

    Google Scholar 

  48. Goodpaster BH, Carlson CL, Visser M, Kelley DE, Scherzinger A, Harris TB, Stamm E, Newman AB. Attenuation of skeletal muscle and strength in the elderly: the Health ABC Study. J Appl Physiol 2001;90:2157–2165.

    Google Scholar 

  49. Trappe S, Gallagher P, Harber M, Carrithers J, Fluckey J, Trappe T. Single muscle fibre contractile properties in young and old men and women. J Physiol 2003;552:47–58.

    Google Scholar 

  50. D’Antona G, Pellegrino MA, Adami R, Rossi R, Carlizzi CN, Canepari M, Saltin B, Bottinelli R. The effect of ageing and immobilization on structure and function of human skeletal muscle fibres.J Physiol 2003;552:499–511.

    Google Scholar 

  51. Balagopal P, Schimke JC, Ades P, Adey D, Nair KS. Age effect on transcript levels and synthesis rate of muscle MHC and response to resistance exercise. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2001;280:E203–208.

    Google Scholar 

  52. Flynn MG, Fahlman M, Braun WA, Lambert CP, Bouillon LE, Brolinson PG, Armstrong CW. Effects of resistance training on selected indexes of immune function in elderly women. J Appl Physiol 1999;86:1905–1913.

    Google Scholar 

  53. Fiatarone MA, O’Neill EF, Ryan ND, Clements KM, Solares GR, Nelson ME, Roberts SB, Kehayias JJ, Lipsitz LA, Evans WJ. Exercise training and nutritional supplementation for physical frailty in very elderly people. N Engl J Med 1994;330:1769–1775.

    Google Scholar 

  54. Brown AB, McCartney N, Sale DG. Positive adaptations to weight-lifting training in the elderly. J Appl Physiol 1990;69:1725–1733.

    Google Scholar 

  55. Frontera WR, Meredith CN, O’Reilly KP, Knuttgen HG, Evans WJ. Strength conditioning in older men: skeletal muscle hypertrophy and improved function. J Appl Physiol 1988;64:1038–1044.

    Google Scholar 

  56. Trappe S, Williamson D, Godard M, Porter D, Rowden G, Costill D. Effect of resistance training on single muscle fiber contractile function in older men. J Appl Physiol 2000;89:143–152.

    Google Scholar 

  57. Trappe S, Godard M, Gallagher P, Carroll C, Rowden G, Porter D. Resistance training improves single muscle fiber contractile function in older women. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2001;281:C398–406.

    Google Scholar 

  58. Campbell WW, Crim MC, Young VR, Evans WJ. Increased energy requirements and changes in body composition with resistance training in older adults. Am J Clin Nutr 1994;60:167–175.

    Google Scholar 

  59. Harridge SD, Kryger A, Stensgaard A. Knee extensor strength, activation, and size in very elderly people following strength training. Muscle Nerve 1999;22:831–839.

    Google Scholar 

  60. Moritani T, deVries HA. Potential for gross muscle hypertrophy in older men. J Gerontol1980;35:672–682.

    Google Scholar 

  61. Lemmer JT, Hurlbut DE, Martel GF, Tracy BL, Ivey FM, Metter EJ, Fozard JL, Fleg JL, Hurley BF. Age and gender responses to strength training and detraining. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2000;32:1505–1512.

    Google Scholar 

  62. Jozsi AC, Campbell WW, Joseph L, Davey SL, Evans WJ. Changes in power with resistance training in older and younger men and women. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 1999;54:M591–596.

    Google Scholar 

  63. Welle S, Thornton C, Statt M. Myofibrillar protein synthesis in young and old human subjects after three months of resistance training. Am J Physiol 1995;268:E422–427.

    Google Scholar 

  64. Fiatarone MA, Marks EC, Ryan ND, Meredith CN, Lipsitz LA, Evans WJ. High-intensity strength training in nonagenarians. Effects on skeletal muscle. JAMA 1990;263:3029–3034.

    Google Scholar 

  65. Hakkinen K, Newton RU, Gordon SE, McCormick M, Volek JS, Nindl BC, Gotshalk LA, Campbell WW, Evans WJ, Hakkinen A, Humphries BJ, Kraemer WJ. Changes in muscle morphology, electromyographic activity, and force production characteristics during progressive strength training in young and older men. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 1998;53:B415–423.

    Google Scholar 

  66. Charette SL, McEvoy L, Pyka G, Snow-Harter C, Guido D, Wiswell RA, Marcus R. Muscle hypertrophy response to resistance training in older women. J Appl Physiol 1991;70:1912–1916.

    Google Scholar 

  67. Campbell WW, Barton ML, Jr., Cyr-Campbell D, Davey SL, Beard JL, Parise G, Evans WJ. Effects of an omnivorous diet compared with a lactoovovegetarian diet on resistance-training-induced changes in body composition and skeletal muscle in older men. Am J Clin Nutr 1999;70:1032–1039.

    Google Scholar 

  68. Welle S, Totterman S, Thornton C. Effect of age on muscle hypertrophy induced by resistance training. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 1996;51:M270–275.

    Google Scholar 

  69. Ivey FM, Roth SM, Ferrell RE, Tracy BL, Lemmer JT, Hurlbut DE, Martel GF, Siegel EL, Fozard JL, Jeffrey Metter E, Fleg JL, Hurley BF. Effects of age, gender, and myostatin genotype on the hypertrophic response to heavy resistance strength training. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2000;55:M641–648.

    Google Scholar 

  70. Dionne IJ, Melancon MO, Brochu M, Ades PA, Poelhman ET. Age-related differences in metabolic adaptations following resistance training in women. Exp Gerontol 2004;39:133–138.

    Google Scholar 

  71. Lemmer JT, Ivey FM, Ryan AS, Martel GF, Hurlbut DE, Metter JE,Fozard JL, Fleg JL, Hurley BF. Effect of strength training on resting metabolic rate and physical activity: age and gender comparisons. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2001;33:532–541.

    Google Scholar 

  72. Hikida RS, Staron RS, Hagerman FC, Walsh S, Kaiser E, Shell S, Hervey S. Effects of high-intensity resistance training on untrained older men. II. Muscle fiber characteristics and nucleo-cytoplasmic relationships.J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2000;55:B347-354.

    Google Scholar 

  73. Green H, Goreham C, Ouyang J, Ball-Burnett M, Ranney D. Regulation of fiber size, oxidative potential, and capillarization in human muscle by resistance exercise. Am J Physiol 1999;276:R591–596.

    Google Scholar 

  74. Staron RS, Johnson P. Myosin polymorphism and differential expression in adult human skeletal muscle. Comp Biochem Physiol B 1993;106:463–475.

    Google Scholar 

  75. Tesch PA. Skeletal muscle adaptations consequent to long-term heavy resistance exercise. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1988;20:S132–134.

    Google Scholar 

  76. Jubrias SA, Esselman PC, Price LB, Cress ME, Conley KE. Large energetic adaptations of elderly muscle to resistance and endurance training. J Appl Physiol 2001;90:1663–1670.

    Google Scholar 

  77. Luthi JM, Howald H, Claassen H, Rosler K, Vock P, Hoppeler H. Structural changes in skeletal muscle tissue with heavy-resistance exercise. Int J Sports Med 1986;7:123–127.

    Google Scholar 

  78. MacDougall JD, Sale DG, Moroz JR, Elder GC, Sutton JR, Howald H. Mitochondrial volume density in human skeletal muscle following heavy resistance training. Med Sci Sports 1979;11:164–166.

    Google Scholar 

  79. MacDougall JD, Sale DG, Elder GC, Sutton JR. Muscle ultrastructural characteristics of elite powerlifters and bodybuilders. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 1982;48:117–126.

    Google Scholar 

  80. Tesch PA, Komi PV, Hakkinen K. Enzymatic adaptations consequent to long-term strength training. Int J Sports Med 1987;8(Suppl 1):66–69.

    Google Scholar 

  81. Frontera WR, Meredith CN, O’Reilly KP, Evans WJ. Strength training and determinants of VO2 max in older men. J Appl Physiol 1990;68:329–333.

    Google Scholar 

  82. Vincent KR, Braith RW, Feldman RA, Magyari PM, Cutler RB, Persin SA, Lennon SL, Gabr AH, Lowenthal DT. Resistance exercise and physical performance in adults aged 60 to 83. J Am Geriatr Soc2002;50:1100–1107.

    Google Scholar 

  83. Hruda KV, Hicks AL, McCartney N. Training for muscle power in older adults: effects on functional abilities.Can J Appl Physiol 2003;28:178–189.

    Google Scholar 

  84. Sullivan DH, Wall PT, Bariola JR, Bopp MM, Frost YM. Progressive resistance muscle strength training of hospitalized frail elderly. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2001;80:503–509.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Charles P. Lambert.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Lambert, C.P., Evans, W.J. Adaptations to Aerobic and Resistance Exercise in the Elderly. Rev Endocr Metab Disord 6, 137–143 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11154-005-6726-5

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11154-005-6726-5

Key words

Navigation