Does resistance training work for the elderly?

Yes[1][2][3][4][5][6]

These results suggest that prolonged moderate to high intensity resistance training may be carried out by healthy older adults with reasonable compliance, and that such training leads to sustained increases in muscle strength.[5]
These results indicate that middle-aged and older men can safely participate in a total body strength training program, intense enough to produce substantial increases in muscle strength and hypertrophy, without promoting muscle soreness or significant muscle cell disruption.[6]

References

  1. Charette SL, et al Muscle hypertrophy response to resistance training in older women . J Appl Physiol. (1991)
  2. Ivey FM, et al Effects of age, gender, and myostatin genotype on the hypertrophic response to heavy resistance strength training . J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. (2000)
  3. Lemmer JT, et al Age and gender responses to strength training and detraining . Med Sci Sports Exerc. (2000)
  4. Tracy BL, et al Muscle quality. II. Effects Of strength training in 65- to 75-yr-old men and women . J Appl Physiol. (1999)
  5. Pyka G, et al Muscle strength and fiber adaptations to a year-long resistance training program in elderly men and women . J Gerontol. (1994)
  6. Hurley BF, et al Effects of strength training on muscle hypertrophy and muscle cell disruption in older men . Int J Sports Med. (1995)