RESISTANCE TRAINING AND HEALTHY AGING: EVIDENCE ON FUNCTIONALITY, SARCOPENIA, AND QUALITY OF LIFE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63330/aurumpub.068-011Keywords:
Frailty, Functional autonomy, Independence, Muscle strength, Physical exerciseAbstract
Aging is associated with a progressive reduction in muscle strength, functional capacity, and autonomy, making it necessary to adopt strategies that promote the maintenance of health and independence. This study analyzes scientific evidence on the effects of resistance training on healthy aging, with emphasis on functionality, sarcopenia, and quality of life. This is an integrative review with a qualitative, exploratory-descriptive approach, conducted in July and August 2026 through searches in the PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science databases and the ScienceDirect platform. Articles published between 2016 and 2026 were considered, while duplicate studies, reviews, book reviews, letters to the editor, and preprints were excluded. After the selection process, 14 studies comprised the final sample. The evidence indicates that resistance training promotes muscle strength, functional capacity, and the maintenance of muscle mass and quality, as well as quality of life, in addition to providing benefits related to sarcopenia. Variations according to participant characteristics and training protocols were also observed. Therefore, resistance training constitutes a relevant strategy for preserving autonomy, independence, and functional health during aging.
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