Serious adverse events were rare , and no serious events were reported to be directly related to the exercise programme .
This review provides evidence that PRT is an effective intervention for improving physical functioning in  older people , including improving strength and the performance of some simple and complex activities .
BACKGROUND Muscle weakness in old age is associated with physical function decline .
Progressive resistance strength training ( PRT ) exercises are design ed to increase strength .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of PRT on older people and identify adverse events .
Ankle force and rate of force production increase following high intensity strength training in frail older adults
Background and aims : The most common cause of accidental injury and death in people over age 65 results from impacts associated with falling . Balance impaired older adults have poorer balance control than healthy young adults or healthy older adults . Lack of sufficient lower extremity strength and inability to rapidly produce muscle force may contribute to diminished balance control in the elderly . This study evaluated the effect of a 10-week high intensity strength- training program targeting key lower extremity muscles for the purpose of improving postural control in frail older adults . Methods : Thirteen experimental and fourteen control subjects , all balance impaired older adults were evaluated in response to unexpected platform perturbations that simulated slips . Results : Following strength training the experimental group was significantly stronger than the control group . Mean ankle moments improved in the experimental group following strength training during forward sway ( Right : p=0.067 , Left : p=0.009 ) and backward sway ( Right : p=0.031 , Left : p=0.058 ) . For the backward sway condition the ankle rate of torque production increased significantly in the experimental group ( Right : p=0.016 , Left : p=0.031 ) . Conclusions : Enhancement of lower extremity strength contributed to improvements in balance stability demonstrated by greater ankle force production , in response to balance threats
Serious adverse events were rare , and no serious events were reported to be directly related to the exercise programme .
This review provides evidence that PRT is an effective intervention for improving physical functioning in  older people , including improving strength and the performance of some simple and complex activities .
BACKGROUND Muscle weakness in old age is associated with physical function decline .
Progressive resistance strength training ( PRT ) exercises are design ed to increase strength .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of PRT on older people and identify adverse events .