Overall , home-based resistance exercise  can improve both strength and functional ability , but the improvements are generally small .
The intensity of the exercises might not progress sufficiently enough to produce large improvements in strength as a result of less supervision or a lack of motivation to increase the intensity further
Home-based resistance exercise is commonly used for individuals who might not have access or the ability to use traditional resistance exercise .
However , the extent to which home-based resistance exercise can improve both strength and functional ability has not been investigated in healthy older individuals using a systematic analysis .
A home-based exercise program for nondisabled older adults.
OBJECTIVES This paper describes a videotaped , home-based , strength training program , titled Strong-for-Life and reports on its effectiveness in improving muscle strength , psychological well-being , and health status in a sample of older persons . DESIGN AND SETTING We enrolled 102 nondisabled , community-dwelling older people aged 66 to 87 , identified from the Medicare beneficiary list , into a r and omized , controlled trial . MEASUREMENTS Effectiveness was based on change in isokinetic upper and lower extremity muscle strength , psychologic well-being , and health status . RESULTS Results revealed several statistically significant short-term benefits after 12 to 15 weeks of exercise , especially for men . Younger older adults demonstrated a 10 % improvement in knee extensor strength relative to control subjects . Older male exercisers achieved significant differences relative to controls in perceived anger , tension , and overall social functioning . Male exercisers , in general , achieved significant improvement in perceived vigor . Women did not report psychological benefits following participation in the program . CONCLUSION Study results reveal that the Strong for Life program , design ed to be widely disseminated to the nondisabled older population , has many short-term positive benefits
Overall , home-based resistance exercise  can improve both strength and functional ability , but the improvements are generally small .
The intensity of the exercises might not progress sufficiently enough to produce large improvements in strength as a result of less supervision or a lack of motivation to increase the intensity further
Home-based resistance exercise is commonly used for individuals who might not have access or the ability to use traditional resistance exercise .
However , the extent to which home-based resistance exercise can improve both strength and functional ability has not been investigated in healthy older individuals using a systematic analysis .