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 .
Can progressive resistance training reverse cachexia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis? Results of a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE . A Phase II trial was performed as a preliminary test of the efficacy and safety of progressive resistance training ( PRT ) as adjunct treatment for rheumatoid cachexia . METHODS Ten mildly disabled patients with well-controlled rheumatoid arthritis ( RA ) trained , on average , 2.5 times per week for 12 weeks . Ten age and sex matched RA patients with similar disease characteristics were non-r and omly assigned to a control group .  Body composition , physical function , and disease activity were assessed pre and post intervention period . RESULTS Between group comparisons at followup by ANCOVA using baseline scores as covariate showed significant increases in fat-free mass ( + 1253 g , p = 0.004 ) , total body protein ( + 1063 g , p = 0.044 ) , and arm ( + 280 g , p = 0.005 ) and leg ( + 839 g , p = 0.001 ) lean mass ( a proxy measure of total body skeletal muscle mass ) in response to PRT with no exacerbation of disease activity . There was also a trend for loss of fat mass in the trunk ( -752 g , p = 0.084 ) and a significant reduction in percent body fat ( -1.1 % , p = 0.047 ) . Changes in body composition were associated with improvements in various measures of physical function . CONCLUSION Intense PRT with adequate volume seems to be an effective and safe intervention for stimulating muscle growth in patients with RA . Pending confirmation of these results in a larger r and omized controlled trial that includes patients with more active and severe disease , a similar PRT program should be included in the management of RA as adjunct treatment for cachexia
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 .