This review found that muscle strength , balance , and endurance can be improved by physical activity in people aged 40 - 65 years .
There were bigger effects on muscle strength from programs that used resistance exercises , indicating the need to include a resistance training component if strength enhancement is the goal
QUESTION Can physical activity  in adults aged 40 - 65 years enhance strength and balance and prevent falls ?
The effect of exercise on physical fitness and quality of life in postmenopausal women.
OBJECTIVES This study was design ed to determine the effect of exercise on the physical fitness level and quality of life in postmenopausal women . 81 volunteer postmenopausal women who entered the menopause naturally and have been taking hormone replacement treatment ( HRT )  were divided r and omly into two groups : exercise ( n=41 ) and control ( n=40 ) . METHODS Physical fitness tests and the Nottingham Health Profile ( NHP ) were used to assess physical fitness and quality of life in both groups , both before and after 6 weeks . The study group participated in an exercise programme , which was composed of sub-maximal aerobic exercises for a 6-week period 3 times a week . The statistical analyses were done by paired sample s t-test and independent sample s t-test . RESULTS At the end of 6 weeks exercise period , when the two groups were compared after the exercise period , we found statistically significant differences in strength , endurance , flexibility and balance parameters in the exercise group ( P<0.05 ) . There was also a statistically significant change in the exercise group for the NHP indicating an improvement in the quality of life ( P<0.05 ) . CONCLUSIONS In this study , it was concluded that the fitness level and quality of life on postmenopausal women could be improved by a regular and controlled exercise programme of 6 weeks
This review found that muscle strength , balance , and endurance can be improved by physical activity in people aged 40 - 65 years .
There were bigger effects on muscle strength from programs that used resistance exercises , indicating the need to include a resistance training component if strength enhancement is the goal
QUESTION Can physical activity  in adults aged 40 - 65 years enhance strength and balance and prevent falls ?