The long-term goal of this research program is to advance the treatment of swallowing disorders in elderly adults. This study will identify the impact of an 8-week progressive resistance exercise program for oral muscles on swallowing physiology, anatomy, dietary intake, and Quality of Life (QOL) in frail dysphagic adults. Findings from the exercise program may indicate new directions for treatments and techniques designed to influence the biological underpinnings of dysphagia in elderly persons. Translation of these findings into clinical practice will have far-reaching significance in the fields of gerontology, speech language pathology, and long-term care.