Effects of a whole-body resistive training regimen in the elderly

Abstract

Twenty active elderly subjects (mean age = 66.4 years, range 51-81) participated in a 12-week weight-training program to determine the possibility of increasing muscular strength and lean body weight. The training utilized variable resistance weight machines which trained the major muscle groups. The male subjects (n = 11) experienced an average increase of 66.1% (SD = 19.39, p < 0.00001) in total maximum weight lifted while the females (n = 9) showed an average increase of 72.2% (SD = 33.44, p < 0.001). Lean body weight, which was calculated by skinfold measurements for each group did increase, but was not statistically significant (males p < 0.11, females p < 0.18). The study demonstrated the positive effects a weight-training regimen can have on an elderly population.