PRT had a large positive effect on strength ( 41 trials , 1955 participants ) , but there was statistical heterogeneity that was not explained by differences in study quality , participant characteristics or the exercise program .
REVIEW ER 'S CONCLUSIONS PRT appears to be an effective intervention to increase strength in older people and has a positive effect on some functional limitations .
However , the effect of this intervention on more substantive outcomes such as measures of disability or HRQOL remains unclear .
BACKGROUND Muscle weakness in old age , is associated with physical disability and an increased risk of falls .
Progressive resistance strength ( PRT ) training exercises ( i.e. movements performed against a specific external force that is regularly increased during training ) are design ed to increase strength in older people .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effect of PRT on measures of physical disability , functional limitation and impairment in older people  , and identify adverse events .
Randomized controlled trial of exercise training for older people (Sendai Silver Center Trial; SSCT): study design and primary outcome.
Physical exercise is expected to improve and maintain physical function in older people , thus promoting health and preventing or postponing the onset of disability in later life . The Sendai Silver Center Trial ( SSCT ) was a r and omized controlled trial design ed to evaluate the efficacy of exercise training among healthy free-living older people . Sixty-five eligible participants , aged from 60 to 81 years , were r and omly allocated to an exercise group or a control group . The subjects in the exercise group were asked to attend training classes at the Sendai Silver Center , a municipal health and welfare facility in the center of Sendai City , at least twice a week for 25 weeks . Each training class , lasting two hours , started with a warm-up session , followed by an endurance session with a bicycle ergometer , and a resistance exercise training session using rubber films , and ended with a cool-down session . The subjects in the control group were asked to attend recreational classes at the Center twice a month . There were no drop-outs or accidents during the intervention . Comparison of maximum oxygen consumption ( VO2max ) before and after the 25-week intervention revealed a significant increase in the exercise group ( 2.1 ml/kg/min ) but no significant change in the control group . Our result is equivalent to the participants becoming younger in aerobic capacity by five years after six months of exercise training
PRT had a large positive effect on strength ( 41 trials , 1955 participants ) , but there was statistical heterogeneity that was not explained by differences in study quality , participant characteristics or the exercise program .
REVIEW ER 'S CONCLUSIONS PRT appears to be an effective intervention to increase strength in older people and has a positive effect on some functional limitations .
However , the effect of this intervention on more substantive outcomes such as measures of disability or HRQOL remains unclear .
BACKGROUND Muscle weakness in old age , is associated with physical disability and an increased risk of falls .
Progressive resistance strength ( PRT ) training exercises ( i.e. movements performed against a specific external force that is regularly increased during training ) are design ed to increase strength in older people .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effect of PRT on measures of physical disability , functional limitation and impairment in older people  , and identify adverse events .