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 .
The effect of strength and endurance training on gait, balance, fall risk, and health services use in community-living older adults.
BACKGROUND The study tested the effect of strength and endurance training on gait , balance , physical health status , fall risk , and  health services use in older adults . METHODS The study was a single-blinded , r and omized controlled trial with intention-to-treat analysis . Adults ( n = 105 ) age 68 - 85 with at least mild deficits in strength and balance were selected from a r and om sample of enrollees in a health maintenance organization . The intervention was supervised exercise ( 1-h sessions , three per week , for 24 - 26 weeks ) , followed by self-supervised exercise . Exercise groups included strength training using weight machines ( n = 25 ) , endurance training using bicycles ( n = 25 ) , and strength and endurance training ( n = 25 ) . Study outcomes included gait tests , balance tests , physical health status measures , self-reported falls ( up to 25 months of follow-up ) , and inpatient and outpatient use and costs . RESULTS There were no effects of exercise on gait , balance , or physical health status . Exercise had a protective effect on risk of falling ( relative hazard = .53 , 95 % CI = .30-.91 ) . Between 7 and 18 months after r and omization , control subjects had more outpatient clinic visits ( p < .06 ) and were more likely to sustain hospital costs over $ 5000 ( p < .05 ) . CONCLUSIONS Exercise may have beneficial effects on fall rates and health care use in some subgroups of older adults . In community-living adults with mainly mild impairments in gait , balance , and physical health status , short-term exercise may not have a restorative effect on these impairments
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 .