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 .
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
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 .