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 .
Reduction of blood pressure response during strength training through intermittent muscle relaxations.
UNLABELLED The increase in blood pressure during training is a disadvantage of strength training  in the elderly . To reduce this effect it is generally recommended to apply lower levels of relative muscle strength with longer contraction duration s or higher number of repetitions ( continuous mode ( CM ) , e. g. 50 % of maximal strength , 10 to 15 repetitions without pauses ) . Alternatively , higher contraction forces could be combined with frequent periods of muscle relaxation and fewer repetitions ( intermittent mode ( IM ) , e. g. 80 % of maximal strength , 8 repetitions consisting of 1.5 s concentric contraction , 1.5 s eccentric contraction and 3 s pause ) . We compared the blood pressure effects of both approaches during leg press exercise in two age groups ( 10 subjects aged 22 to 42 y , 9 subjects aged 60 to 72 y ) .  Blood pressure was measured continuously by a non-invasive method ( FINAPRES , Ohmeda 2300 , Englewood USA ) . RESULTS 1 . The age of the subjects had no significant influence on the slopes of blood pressure increase during the different exercise modes . 2 . The frequent insertion of short ( 3 s ) periods of muscle relaxation ( IM ) decreased the blood pressure response more effectively than a reduction in contraction strength alone ( CM ) . Short muscle relaxations have an immediate , mechanical effect on blood pressure and they allow a metabolic recovery which attenuates the trend of blood pressure increase
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 .