A survey of current resistance training prescription methods used with older adults

Abstract

Background: Resistance training is an effective strategy to mitigate age-related declines in muscle function in older adults. Although several guidelines have been published to support practitioners, little is known about how exercise professionals prescribe resistance training in practice. In this study, we aimed at investigating current prescription practices and their alignment with existing guidelines.

Methods: An anonymous questionnaire was distributed online (e.g., e-mail, social media) to exercise professionals (n = 81) who prescribe resistance training to older adults (≥60 years). The survey was used to collect information on professional background, prescription details, guideline adherence, and technology use. The collected responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics and cross-tabulation to identify patterns and alignment with recommendations.

Results: Most professionals referred to the American College of Sports Medicine (52%) guidelines. Resistance training was typically prescribed twice per week (48%), using 4–6 exercises per session (66%) at estimated intensities of 60%–80% of 1 repetition maximum (RM) (58%) for 9–12 repetitions (63%). Intensity was most prescribed using the rating of perceived exertion (RPE; 83%), whereas RM-based methods were less commonly used (43%), and velocity-based training was rarely used (5%). Heart rate monitors were the most used technology (52%), whereas 36% of respondents stated they did not use any technology.

Conclusion: These findings confirm that current guidelines are widely applied but suggest a shift toward using RPE over RM-based methods for intensity prescription. The limited use of technology highlights a future direction to integrate emerging tools to support resistance training for older adults.

Keywords

aging population, exercise physiology, exercise prescription, healthy aging, strength training

Document Type

Journal Article

Date of Publication

8-1-2026

E-ISSN

21657629

Publication Title

Journal of Clinical Exercise Physiology

Publisher

Clinical Exercise Physiology Association

School

Exercise Medicine Research Institute / School of Medical and Health Sciences

RAS ID

100689

Copyright

subscription content

Recommended Citation

He, H., Guppy, S. N., Singh, F., Fox-Harding, C., Newton, R. U., & Haff, G. G. (2026). A survey of current resistance training prescription methods used with older adults. Journal of Clinical Exercise Physiology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.31189/CEPH-25-00041

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Link to publisher version (DOI)

10.31189/CEPH-25-00041