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 .
Three-year controlled, randomized trial of the effect of dose-specified loading and strengthening exercises on bone mineral density of spine and femur in nonathletic, physically active women.
The objectives of this study were to evaluate ( 1 ) the effect of spinal muscle strengthening by loading exercises on the bone mineral density ( BMD ) of the spine , and ( 2 ) the effect of upper extremity loading exercises on the BMD of the midradius and femur in healthy , premenopausal women . The study design was a r and omized , controlled trial of 3 years ' duration . Ninety-six healthy , premenopausal , white women aged 30 - 40 years participated ; 67 completed the study . All subjects were in good health ( normal menses ) and were active , but not athletic ( that is , not involved in a regular sport activity ) . Subjects were r and omized to an exercise or control group . The exercise group performed a supervised , non-strenuous , weight-lifting exercise program . Exercise performance was supervised once a week at the medical facility . In addition , the subjects performed the exercises twice a week on their own . Dietary calcium intake was to be maintained at 1,500 mg/day in both groups . Bone density was measured at the lumbar spine and hip with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at 0 , 1 , and 3 years . BMD of the midradius was measured with single photon absorptiometry . Measurements of muscle strength were obtained at baseline and every 3 months for 3 years . Maximal oxygen uptake was measured , and the level of physical activity was recorded . Compliance with the exercise program was excellent during the first year of the study , but decreased thereafter . At the end of 3 years , subject withdrawal was about 34 % from the exercise group and about 22 % from the control group ( total subject withdrawal was about 30 % ) . Muscle strength in the exercise group increased significantly at all involved skeletal sites ( p values all < 0.001 ) . There was a modest positive correlation between the BMD of Ward 's triangle with spinal flexor strength ( r = 0.32 , p = 0.008 ) and with grip strength ( r = 0.38 , p = 0.001 ) . Comparing study groups , we found no significant effect of the loading and nonstrenuous strengthening exercises in the exercise group or free physical activity group ( our control group ) on BMD at the spine , hip , or midradius measurement sites . In active , but not athletic premenopausal women , additional moderate weight-lifting exercises showed no significant effect on BMD
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 .