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 .
Home-based resistance training improves femoral bone mineral density in women on hormone therapy
This study tested whether moderate resistance training would improve femoral bone mineral density ( BMD ) in long-term users of hormone therapy with low BMD . The study was a 2-year r and omized , controlled , trial ( RCT ) of moderate resistance training of either the lower extremity or the upper extremity . Eighty-five women participated in a 6-month observation period . The setting was center-based and home-based training . The participants were 189 women aged 59–78 years , with total femur T-scores from −0.8 to −2.8 and on hormone therapy ( HT ) for a minimum of 2 years ( mean 11.8 years ) ; 153 completed the trial .  Lower extremity training used weight belts ( mean 7.8 kg ) in step-ups and chair rises ; upper extremity training used elastic b and s and dumbbells .  Measurements were BMD and body composition [ dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry ( DXA ) ] , bone turnover markers . Total femoral BMD showed a downward trend during the observation period : 0.35%±0.18 % ( P=0.14 ) . The response to training was similar in the upper and lower groups in the primary outcomes . At 2 years , total femoral BMD increased 1.5 % ( 95 % CI 0.8%–2.2 % ) in the lower group and 1.8 % ( 95 % CI 1.1%–2.5 % ) in the upper group . Trochanter BMD increased 2.4 % ( 95 % CI 1.3%–3.5 % ) in the lower group and 2.5 % ( 95 % CI 1.4%–3.6 % ) in the upper group ( for both analyses time effect P<0.001 ) . At 1 year , a bone resorption marker ( C-telopeptide ) decreased 9 % ( P=0.04 ) . Bone formation markers , bone-specific alkaline phosphatase , decreased 5 % ( P<0.001 ) , and N-terminal type I procollagen peptide decreased 7 % ( P=0.01 ) . Body composition ( percent lean and percent body fat ) was maintained in both groups . We concluded that long-term moderate resistance training  reversed bone loss , decreased bone turnover , increased femur BMD , and maintained body composition . The similarity of response in upper and lower groups supports a systemic response rather than a site-specific response to moderate 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 .