Source credit: PubMed-indexed meta-analysis in Biological Research for Nursing.
A 2026 systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials reports that structured exercise improves cardiorespiratory fitness in healthy adults ages 60 and older. The review included 51 studies with 3,152 participants and found gains in both VO2 max or peak oxygen uptake and six-minute walk distance compared with control groups.
The useful takeaway for active readers is that the benefits were not limited to traditional cardio. The authors reported consistent improvements across aerobic training, resistance training, and combined programs, suggesting that older lifters can support heart-and-lung fitness while still keeping strength work in the plan.
Why it matters for lifters
For masters athletes and older gym members, conditioning often gets treated as separate from lifting. This review supports a more practical view: well-structured resistance work can be part of a broader cardiorespiratory fitness strategy, especially when paired with walking, cycling, intervals, or other aerobic work that fits recovery.
Better cardiorespiratory fitness can also make training sessions easier to tolerate. More work capacity may help older lifters recover between sets, handle longer sessions, and maintain independence outside the gym.
What to watch next
The paper does not identify one perfect program, and it calls for more standardized protocols and longer follow-up. Lifters should watch for future guidelines that clarify how to dose resistance training and aerobic work together for older adults with different health histories, training ages, and recovery limits.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Older adults, people with chronic conditions, and anyone returning to exercise after a layoff should consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing training intensity or volume.