Resistance training induced increase in VO2max in young and older subjects

It is an undeniable fact that resistance training (RT) is a potent stimulus for muscle hypertrophy and strength gain, but it is less understood whether RT can increase maximal aerobic capacity (VO(2)max). The purpose of this brief review is to discuss whether or not RT enhances VO(2)max in young (20-40 years) and older subjects (> 60 years). Only 3 of 17 studies involving young subjects have indicated significant increases in VO(2)max following RT, while six of nine studies in older subjects have reported significant improvements in VO(2)max following RT. There was a significant negative correlation between the initial VO(2)max and RT-induced change in VO(2)max. This result suggests that RT-induced increase in VO(2)max is dependent upon the subject's initial VO(2)max. The RT-induced increase in VO(2)max may be elicited when their initial relative VO(2)max is lower than 25 ml/kg/min for older subjects and lower than 40 ml/kg/min for young subjects. Thus, RT can be expected to improve concurrently both muscular and cardiovascular fitnesses within a single mode of RT when young and old persons have initially low fitness levels.