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 .
Moderate exercise improves gait stability in disabled elders.
BACKGROUND Decreased muscle strength impedes elders ' functional performance in daily activities such as gait . The mechanisms whereby increased strength improves gait are unknown . METHODS A prospect i ve , blinded , r and omized trial of moderate intensity strength exercise was conducted and its impact was measured on functional mobility during gait in 132 functionally limited elders . Lower extremity strength was measured , including hip abductor , hip extensor , and knee extensor strength . Of the 132 subjects , 120 subjects ( mean age , 75.1 yrs ) completed 6 months of elastic b and resistance training at least 3 times a week or served as no-exercise controls . RESULTS Subjects increased their lower extremity strength in the exercise and control groups , by 17.6 % and 7.3 % ( p < .01 ) , respectively . Gait stability improved significantly more in the exercise group than in the control group ( p < .05 ) . Increases in forward gait velocity were not significantly different between groups . Peak mediolateral velocity and base of support improved in the exercise group , but not in the control group . Change in lower extremity strength correlated significantly but weakly with many of the gait variables . CONCLUSIONS Gait stability , especially mediolateral steadiness , improved in the exercise group but not in the control group . These results show that even moderate strength gains benefit gait performance in elders and thus provide a sound basis for encouraging low-intensity strength training for elders with functional limitations
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 .