Aging is a multi-factorial process that ultimately induces a decline in our physiological functioning, causing a decreased health-span, quality of life and independence for older adults. Exercise
participation is seen as a way to reduce the impact of aging through maintenance of physiological parameters.
Eccentric exercise is a model that can be employed with older adults, due to the muscle’s ability to combine
high muscle force production with a low energy cost. There may however be a risk of muscle damage before
the muscle is able to adapt. The first part of this review describes the process of aging and how it reduces
aerobic capacity, muscle strength and therefore functional mobility. The second part highlights eccentric
exercise and the associated muscle damage, in addition to the repeated bout effect. The final section reviews
eccentric exercise interventions that have been completed by older adults with a focus on the changes in
functional mobility. In conclusion, eccentric endurance exercise is a potential training modality that can be
applied to older adults for improving muscle strength, aerobic capacity and functional ability. However,
further research is needed to assess the effects on aerobic capacity and the ideal prescription for eccentric
endurance exercise