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 .
Effects of a whole-body resistive training regimen in the elderly.
Twenty active elderly subjects ( mean age = 66.4 years , range 51 - 81 ) participated in a 12-week weight-training program to determine the possibility of increasing muscular strength and lean body weight . The training utilized variable resistance weight machines which trained the major muscle groups . The male subjects ( n = 11 ) experienced an average increase of 66.1 % ( SD = 19.39 , p < 0.00001 ) in total maximum weight lifted while the females ( n = 9 ) showed an average increase of 72.2 % ( SD = 33.44 , p < 0.001 ) . Lean body weight , which was calculated by skinfold measurements for each group did increase , but was not statistically significant ( males p < 0.11 , females p < 0.18 ) . The study demonstrated the positive effects a weight-training regimen can have on an elderly population
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 .