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 .
Effects on balance, falls, and bone mineral density of a home-based exercise program without home visits in community-dwelling elderly women: a randomized controlled trial.
The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of home-based exercise without home visits on physical function , falls , and bone mineral density in community-dwelling elderly women . Sixty community-dwelling , elderly ( > or = 65 years of age ) women were recruited from a Japanese community . Subjects were r and omly assigned to a home-based exercise group or a control group . The subjects assigned to the home-based exercise group performed home-based exercise without home visits 3 times per week for 6 months in their homes . Assessment s of physical function and bone mineral density were carried out before and after intervention in both groups . Muscle strength , gait velocity , the timed up and go test ( TUGT ) , single leg stance time , the bend reach performance test , and reaction time were measured to assess physical function . The patients ' history of falls was also assessed before and after the 12-month follow-up . To determine bone mineral density , the speed of sound ( SOS ) at the right calcaneus was measured using a quantitative ultrasound device . There were no significant differences between the two groups in baseline characteristics . 82.6 % of subjects completed the prescribed exercise program in the home-based exercise group . Compared to the control group , TUGT improved significantly ( p<0.05 ) in the home-based exercise group . Home-based exercise without home visits can be adopted for community-dwelling elderly women , particularly since no specific place or instructor is needed
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 .