Ageing Australians are losing strength, with as few as 15% of them completing strength-based training.

Even among this minority, only around 5% are training at sufficient intensities to gain health benefits.

That's according to CQUniversity's Dr Brendan Humphries, who recently presented a study to the Australian Conference of Science and Medicine in Sport, highlighting the issue.

Dr Humphries says there's a growing need for exercise and sports science specialists to enable an effective mix of strength training, aerobic, flexibility and balance-based programs, as well as strategies to encourage their adoption.

"Despite the shown benefits of strength training, the practice seems to be being ignored," he said.

"Decades of research into muscle strengthening activities have shown multiple health benefits for both healthy and elevated risk populations."

CQUniversity Australia offers a comprehensive Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science degree covering elite performance; exercise and sports management, psychology and physiology; community and personal health and more.

Students can choose to study in Rockhampton or by distance education. More details are available via www.cqu.edu.au/degrees or by phoning 13 CQUni.