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 .
The effects of multidimensional home-based exercise on functional performance in elderly people.
BACKGROUND This study tested the hypothesis that a home-based exercise program would improve functional performance in elderly people . METHODS We conducted a 6-month , single-blinded , r and omized controlled trial . 72 community dwelling men and women ( aged > /=70 years ) with self-reported and laboratory-based functional impairment were recruited for the study . Participants were r and omly assigned to either a home-based progressive strength , balance , and general physical activity intervention or an attention-control group that received home-based nutrition education .  Functional performance was measured in the laboratory using the Physical Performance Test ( PPT ) and the Established Population s for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly ( EPESE ) short physical performance battery . Physiologic capacity was measured by strength ( one repetition maximum ) , dynamic balance ( t and em walk ) , gait speed ( 2-meter walk ) , and cardiovascular endurance ( 6-minute walk ) . RESULTS 70 participants ( 97 % ) completed the 6-month trial . Compliance with study interventions within each group ranged from 75 % in controls to 82 % in exercisers . PPT increased by 6.1 + /- 13.4 % in exercisers and decreased by 2.8 + /- 13.6 % in controls ( p = .02 ) . EPESE improved by 26.2 + /- 37.5 % in exercisers and decreased by 1.2 + /- 22.1 % in controls ( p = .001 ) . Dynamic balance improved by 33.8 + /- 14.4 % in exercisers versus 11.5 + /- 23.7 % in controls ( p = .0002 ) . There were no differences between groups in the change in strength , gait speed , or cardiovascular endurance . CONCLUSIONS Minimally supervised exercise is safe and can improve functional performance  in elderly individuals . The improvements in functional performance occurred along with improvements in balance but without a significant change in muscle strength or endurance
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 .