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 .
Strength improvements with 1 yr of progressive resistance training in older women.
Thirty-nine healthy women ( 59.5 + /- 0.9 yr ) were r and omized to either a control group ( CON ) or a progressive resistance training group ( PRT ) that trained twice weekly for 12 months . PRT trained at 80 % or more ( average of 84 % ) of their most recent one repetition maximum ( 1RM ) on the lateral pull-down ( LPD ) , knee extensor ( KE ) , and double leg press ( DLP ) apparatus . One RM was measured for each exercise once monthly in PRT and at baseline , mid study , and end of study in CON . One RM significantly increased in PRT for all muscle groups trained compared to CON ( P < 0.0001 ) . Increases of 73.7 + /- 12 % , 35.1 + /- 3 % , and 77.0 + /- 5 % , respectively , for KE , DLP , and LPD in PRT and 12.7 % + /- 8 % , 3.7 % + /- 3 % , and 18.4 % + /- 4 % , respectively , in CON were observed . Approximately 50 % of the gains in KE and LPD and 40 % in the DLP were seen in the first 3 months of the study . In all three exercises , strength gains in PRT continued over the entire 12-month period . These data indicate that high-intensity strength training results in substantial , continual increases in strength in postmenopausal women for at least 12 months , with the greatest gains seen in the first 3 months of training
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 .