| Sumario: | 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 (VOmax). The purpose of this brief review is to discuss whether or not RT enhances VOmax in young (20-40 years) and older subjects (>60 years). Only 3 of 17 studies involving young subjects have indicated significant increases in VOmax following RT, while six of nine studies in older subjects have reported significant improvements in VOmax following RT. There was a significant negative correlation between the initial VOmax and RT-induced change in VOmax. This result suggests that RT-induced increase in VOmax is dependent upon the subject's initial VOmax. The RT-induced increase in VOmax may be elicited when their initial relative VOmax 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.
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