In older adults undergoing low-load resistance training for 12 weeks, training volume and repetition progression do not significantly influence gains in strength or functional performance, as protocols with substantially different total volumes produce equivalent outcomes.

When older adults perform low-load resistance training, even with few repetitions, the muscles tire over multiple sets. This fatigue forces the nervous system to call on more powerful muscle fibers that weren't used at first. These fibers fire more strongly and frequently, making the muscles able to produce more force without getting bigger. This process happens the same way whether someone does many reps or few reps, as long as the training continues until the muscles are tired.