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Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Improving Strength, Power, Muscle Aerobic Capacity, and Glucose Tolerance through Short-term Progressive Strength Training Among Elderly People
Published on: July 5, 2017
Impact of resistance training for lowering blood pressure in older adults
Deepika Laddu1, Xuan Cai1, Adam D Gepner2,3
1Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
Background:
The INERTIA study evaluated the preliminary effects of a 12-week progressive resistance training (PRT) intervention on changes in blood pressure (BP) in older adults.
Methods:
Older adults (≥60 years) with low muscle strength and no diagnosed CVD were randomized (2:1) to 12 weeks of PRT (n=50) or assessment-only control (n=21). The primary outcome was between-group difference in 12-week changes in systolic (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP). Secondary outcomes were changes in muscle strength (chest press, leg press), and physical function (short-physical performance battery, SPPB). Two-way repeated measures ANOVA assessed between-group effects (LS mean) and within-group changes.
Results:
Seventy-one participants (mean (SD); age, 70.1 (6.3) years); 76% female, 43% non-white; 42% on antihypertensive therapy) enrolled, and 61 completed follow-up. Baseline SBP/DBP was 130 (20.2)/82 (12.3) mmHg. Compared with control, PRT produced greater reductions for DBP (difference in change, -4.2 mmHg; 95% CI -8.3, -0.1), but not for SBP (-5.4 mmHg; 95% CI -13.0, 2.2). Within the PRT group, SBP (mean change -5.6 mmHg; 95% CI -11.1, -0.1) and DBP (-3.9 mmHg; 95% CI -6.8, -0.9) decreased significantly, with minimal change in controls. Strength gains (chest press, 11.0 kg; leg press, 63.6 kg) were greater in PRT than controls (all p<0.001), while between-group improvements in SPPB (PRT: 2 points, controls: 1.2 points) were not significant.
Conclusion:
In older adults, PRT significantly increased muscle strength and reduced DBP beyond controls, with a trend towards clinically meaningful improvements in SBP and physical function. Larger, adequately powered trials are warranted to confirm these findings.
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