Strength training in later life: narrowing the evidence-to-practice gap

Low muscle strength is the third most common cause of all-cause mortality; it is as dangerous as tobacco use.1 Low muscle strength is also associated with an increased risk of functional disability, non-communicable disease (including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancers), cognitive dysfunction and impaired mental health, and longer hospital stays.1 The annual excess cost associated with muscle weakness in the UK is estimated to be £2.5 billion.2 Yet, when appropriately dosed and progressed, strength training has been unequivocally shown to improve muscle strength in both males and females, even in those over 80 years of age.3 4 Therefore, building muscle strength should be an urgent ageing and public health priority.