There was a large heterogeneity in the studies concerning sample size , types of interventions and types of assessment s. There is strong evidence for a positive effect of  physical training  on muscle strength and mobility ; moderate evidence for an effect on range of motion ; and contradictory evidence regarding gait , activities of daily living , balance and endurance .
OBJECTIVE the positive effect of physical training in healthy elderly people is well documented .
The aim of this systematic review was to describe the effect of physical training on physical performance in institutionalised elderly patients with multiple diagnoses .
Endurance training in the elderly nursing home patient.
Endurance training in nursing home patients was evaluated by selecting 15 of 150 patients for a conditioning program eliminating those patients with dementia and /or significant cardiac disease . After a medical and laboratory screen , all had a symptom-limited exercise test ( SLXT ) using arm and leg ergometry . Only two patients were able to use the treadmill and many had difficulty with leg cycling . Exercise capacities averaged 2 - 3METs in most patients . The exercise ( E ) group included eight r and omly selected subjects who participated in a three times weekly upper and lower conditioning program using target heart rates based on the SLXT . The control ( C ) group continued in the daily nursing home routine . The SLXT was repeated at the end of one year . Two patients in each group expired from unassociated medical problems . Three patients in group E were hospitalized for brief periods . In group E there was a small but significant training effect in the arms ( p = 0.05 ) but not in the legs . It would appear that a small training effect can occur in elderly nursing home patients with a conditioning program . The magnitude is limited by the low intensity of the program as well as the detraining effect of intercurrent illness . Functional limitations of the legs may be responsible for the lack of a training effect in these muscle groups
There was a large heterogeneity in the studies concerning sample size , types of interventions and types of assessment s. There is strong evidence for a positive effect of  physical training  on muscle strength and mobility ; moderate evidence for an effect on range of motion ; and contradictory evidence regarding gait , activities of daily living , balance and endurance .
OBJECTIVE the positive effect of physical training in healthy elderly people is well documented .
The aim of this systematic review was to describe the effect of physical training on physical performance in institutionalised elderly patients with multiple diagnoses .