Resistance exercise reverses aging in human skeletal muscle

Researchers compared muscle samples from 25 younger adults and 26 older adults. The older adults did supervised weight training three times a week for six months. The researchers measured gene activity, meaning which instructions inside muscle cells were turned on or off. Training improved strength and changed many age-related muscle genes toward the pattern seen in younger adults. It also appeared to improve the function of mitochondria, the parts of cells that produce energy.

What this means for you: Regular resistance training is a sensible way to build strength and may improve muscle health. This small study does not show that weight training reverses whole-body aging or extends lifespan.