Exercise Training Two Times Weekly Improves Fitness as Much as More Frequent Exercise in Older Women

Aerobic exercise and resistance training can mitigate age-related decline in physical performance, and it seems intuitive that daily exercise is more beneficial than less frequent exercise. However, optimal frequency of exercise in older adults is unclear. In this randomized trial, investigators examined the effects of three different combined aerobic and resistance training programs on total energy expenditure and activity-related energy expenditure (AEE) in 72 older sedentary women (age range, 60–74).

Participants were randomized to weekly schedules of 1 day of aerobic and 1 day of resistance training (1+1), 2 days of aerobic and 2 days of resistance training (2+2), or 3 days of aerobic and 3 days of resistance training (3+3). Aerobic trai…