Resistance Training in Older Adults: Are Community-Based Interventions Effective for Improving Health Outcomes?

Sarcopenia is associated with substantial health and economic consequences and is emerging as a major public health problem in the older population. The effects of sarcopenia may increase the risk for adverse health outcomes in older adults, and strategies need to be developed to maintain healthy aging. Although several intervention strategies have been proposed, resistance training (RT) has been suggested as the most effective stimulus for optimizing improvements in physical function and body composition with age. Although RT has been established as a safe and efficacious intervention for the prevention and treatment of sarcopenia, very few older adults regularly participate in RT programs. Community-based RT programs may be a feasible strategy because of their accessibility, cost-effectiveness, and lower-intensity training stimuli. However, the effects of these interventions on health outcomes in older adults have not been adequately reviewed. This report will describe the health effects associated with sarcopenia and summarize the major findings from community-based RT interventions on different health outcomes in older adults. Finally, it is suggested that all older adults who demonstrate the ability to safely participate in RT comply with the guidelines recommended by the American College of Sports Medicine.