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Updated: May 22, 2026
12:59
Improving Strength, Power, Muscle Aerobic Capacity, and Glucose Tolerance through Short-term Progressive Strength Training Among Elderly People
Published on: July 5, 2017
Exercise and nutritional interventions for improving aging muscle health
Scott C Forbes1, Jonathan P Little, Darren G Candow
1Physical Education and Recreation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
Endocrine
|April 25, 2012
Summary
Exercise and nutrition can combat age-related muscle loss (sarcopenia). Strategies like resistance training and supplements may improve muscle strength, power, and function in older adults.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Exercise Physiology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Aging leads to sarcopenia, characterized by muscle mass decline, weakness, and functional limitations.
- Sarcopenia is linked to physiological changes including altered protein/hormonal kinetics, insulin resistance, inflammation, and oxidative stress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review exercise and nutritional strategies that benefit aging muscle.
- To highlight interventions that can mitigate sarcopenia's effects.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on exercise interventions (resistance, aerobic, fast-velocity) and nutritional supplements (creatine, proteins, fatty acids).
- Analysis of physiological adaptations in skeletal muscle in response to these interventions in older adults.
Main Results:
- Resistance training enhances muscle strength, size, mitochondrial content, and reduces oxidative stress.
- Fast-velocity resistance exercise may improve muscle power and functional capacity.
- Aerobic exercise can improve mitochondrial bioenergetics, insulin sensitivity, and decrease oxidative stress.
- Nutritional supplements like creatine monohydrate, milk-based proteins, and essential fatty acids may enhance exercise adaptations.
Conclusions:
- Exercise and nutritional interventions show promise in combating age-related muscle decline.
- Further research is needed to optimize combined exercise and nutritional strategies for enhanced muscle protein synthesis, mitochondrial function, and reduced inflammation in older adults.
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