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. 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. 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. Therefore, building muscle strength should be an urgent ageing and public health priority.