Chen, ChengFreire, CristianaFu, ZhiyangTeixeira, InêsAdegas, MatildeGomes, RafaelRabaçal, RicardoSilva, SaraMalheiro, AlexandraLeite, Luciano BernardesReis, AntónioMonteiro, António M.Yang, JingXiaolin, YaoForte, Pedro2026-02-192026-02-192026Chen, Cheng; Freire, Cristiana; Fu, Zhiyang; Teixeira, Ines; Adegas, Matilde; Gomes, Rafael; Rabacal, Ricardo; Silva, Sara; Malheiro, Alexandra; Leite, Luciano B.; Reis, Antonio; Monteiro, Antonio M.; Yang, Jian; Yao, Xiaolin; Forte, Pedro (2026). Impact of physical exercise interventions on functional fitness in older adults. Frontiers in Medicine. ISSN 2296-858X. 12, p. 1-162296-858Xhttp://hdl.handle.net/10198/35799Aging is associated with a decline in functional fitness, compromising the autonomy of older adults. This systematic review evaluated recent randomized clinical trials (2015–2024) on the effects of physical exercise in individuals aged ≥65 years. Ninety-five studies were included, showing that multicomponent programs, resistance training, and supervised protocols improved muscular strength, mobility, balance, gait speed, and body composition. Interventions lasting more than 12 weeks with high adherence yielded more favorable outcomes. Effects on cognitive function were inconsistent. Structured exercises tailored to the capacities of older adults are effective strategies to promote functional independence and healthy aging, although study heterogeneity limits some conclusions.engOlder adultsFunctional fitnessMulticomponent trainingResistance trainingSystematic reviewjournal article10.3389/fmed.2025.1732129