The effect of hypoxia on muscle strength and mass responses of older adults to resistance training

Introduction: As we age, complex mechanisms cause skeletal muscle atrophy. Older adults often experience low muscle mass and strength, that are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Resistance training is an effective tool to prevent age-related muscle atrophy and declining strength, and novel training parameters are valuable for improving program efficacy. The use of hypoxia (low O2) during resistance training elicits superior muscle hypertrophy and strength gains in young men. This study therefore aimed to determine the responses of older adults to hypoxic resistance training, and hypothesised that muscle hypertrophy and strength gains would be greater in hypoxia compared to normoxia. Enhancing muscle mass and strength gains in older adults could lessen the burden of muscle atrophy-related morbidities and mortalities.