Why and what kind of physical training is most effective for health and quality of life in older persons?

Overview

In studies published in recent years was demonstrated, that one-sided preference of endurance training in older age was not able to satisfy all requirements for maintenance of the strength and endurance, necessary for a satisfactory quality of life. Sarcopenia and loss of strength are known to occur with age, but increasing age is not the main cause of sarcopenia. From the multifactorial sequelae is mostly accused the inactivity, combined with decreased energy expenditure, increased body fat, dyslipidaemia and reduced insulin sensitivity.

Resistance training in older adults increases power, reduces the difficulty of performing daily tasks, enhances energy expenditure and promotes participation on training and spontaneous physical activity. The effects of resistance training in older persons are different from these in younger, the increases of oxidative capacity and decrease of glycolytic ATP synthesis is probably cause by lower intensity of training.

Key words:
aging muscles, sarcopenia, resistance and endurance training