High lntensity Strength Training in Nonagenarians

Effects on skeletal muscle

Maria A. Fiatarone, MD; Elizabeth C. Marks, MS; Nancy D. Ryan, DT; Carol N. Meredith, PhD; Lewis A. Lipsitz, MD; William J. Evans, PhD

Muscle dysfunction and associated mobility impairment, common among the frail elderly, increase the risk of falls, fractures, and functional dependency. We sought to characterize the muscle weakness of the very old and its reversibility through strength training. Ten frail, institutionalized volunteers aged 90 ± 1 years undertook 8 weeks of highintensity resistance training. Initially, quadriceps strength was correlated negatively with walking time (r= ­.745). Fatfree mass (r=”.732)” and regional muscle mass (r=”.752)” were correlated positively with muscle strength.

Strength gains averaged 174% + 31% (mean ± SEM) in the 9 subjects who completed training. Midthigh muscle area increased 9.0% ± 4.5%. Mean tandem gait speed improved 48% after training. We conclude that highresistance weight training leads to significant gains in muscle strength, size, and functional mobility among frail residents of nursing homes up to 96 years of age.