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 .
Randomized controlled trial of exercise training for older people (Sendai Silver Center Trial; SSCT): study design and primary outcome.
Physical exercise is expected to improve and maintain physical function in older people , thus promoting health and preventing or postponing the onset of disability in later life . The Sendai Silver Center Trial ( SSCT ) was a r and omized controlled trial design ed to evaluate the efficacy of exercise training among healthy free-living older people . Sixty-five eligible participants , aged from 60 to 81 years , were r and omly allocated to an exercise group or a control group . The subjects in the exercise group were asked to attend training classes at the Sendai Silver Center , a municipal health and welfare facility in the center of Sendai City , at least twice a week for 25 weeks . Each training class , lasting two hours , started with a warm-up session , followed by an endurance session with a bicycle ergometer , and a resistance exercise training session using rubber films , and ended with a cool-down session . The subjects in the control group were asked to attend recreational classes at the Center twice a month . There were no drop-outs or accidents during the intervention . Comparison of maximum oxygen consumption ( VO2max ) before and after the 25-week intervention revealed a significant increase in the exercise group ( 2.1 ml/kg/min ) but no significant change in the control group . Our result is equivalent to the participants becoming younger in aerobic capacity by five years after six months of exercise 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 .