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 .
Musculoskeletal adaptations to resistance training in old age.
Muscle weakness experienced in old age has many detrimental consequences for activities of daily life . Given the serious problems presented by weakness in old age , strategies to prevent or mitigate this process are of paramount importance . In recent years resistance training has emerged as an effective method for increasing strength in the elderly . Despite this , little is known regarding the muscular , neural and tendinous adaptations that occur with resistance training in old age . Hence , we have conducted a series of experiments to investigate these adaptations . We have found increases in maximal isometric and concentric torque by 9 - 37 % after resistance training in older people ( 65 - 81 years ) . Associated with these strength gains were increases in agonist muscle neural drive without any change in the co-activation of antagonist muscles .  Resistance training can cause increases in muscle size and also adaptations to the internal muscle structure . Tendons of older adults adapt to resistance training by increasing their stiffness and Young 's modulus . In conclusion , many of the musculoskeletal factors characterizing ageing can be at least partially mitigated by resistance 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 .