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 .
Resistance and aerobic training in older men: effects on VO2peak and the capillary supply to skeletal muscle.
Both aerobic training ( AT ) and resistance training ( RT ) may increase aerobic power ( VO2peak ) in the older population ; however , the role of changes in the capillary supply in this response has not been evaluated . Twenty healthy men ( age 65 - 74 yr ) engaged in either 9 wk of lower body RT followed by 9 wk of AT on a cycle ergometer ( RT-->AT group ) or 18 wk of AT on a cycle ergometer ( AT-->AT group ) . RT was performed three times per week and consisted of three sets of four exercises at 6 - 12 repetitions maximum . AT was performed three times per week for 30 min at 60 - 70 % heart rate reserve . VO2peak was increased after both RT and AT ( P < 0.05 ) . Biopsies ( vastus lateralis ) revealed that the number of capillaries per fiber perimeter length was increased after both AT and RT ( P < 0.05 ) , paralleling the changes in VO2peak , whereas capillary density was increased only after AT ( P < 0.01 ) . These results , and the finding of a significant correlation between the change in capillary supply and VO2peak ( r = 0.52 ) , suggest the possibility that similar mechanisms may be involved in the increase of VO2peak after high-intensity RT and AT in the older population
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 .