PRT had a large positive effect on strength ( 41 trials , 1955 participants ) , but there was statistical heterogeneity that was not explained by differences in study quality , participant characteristics or the exercise program .
REVIEW ER 'S CONCLUSIONS PRT appears to be an effective intervention to increase strength in older people and has a positive effect on some functional limitations .
However , the effect of this intervention on more substantive outcomes such as measures of disability or HRQOL remains unclear .
BACKGROUND Muscle weakness in old age , is associated with physical disability and an increased risk of falls .
Progressive resistance strength ( PRT ) training exercises ( i.e. movements performed against a specific external force that is regularly increased during training ) are design ed to increase strength in older people .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effect of PRT on measures of physical disability , functional limitation and impairment in older people  , and identify adverse events .
The effect of multidimensional exercises on balance, mobility, and fall risk in community-dwelling older adults.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE This prospect i ve clinical investigation examined the effects of a multidimensional exercise program on balance , mobility , and risk for falls in community-dwelling older adults with a history of falling . Factors used to predict adherence and a successful response to exercise were identified . SUBJECTS A total of 105 community-dwelling older adults ( > or = 65 years of age ) with a history of two or more falls in the previous 6 months ( no neurologic diagnosis ) participated . They were classified into ( 1 ) a control group of fallers ( n = 21 ) , ( 2 ) a fully adherent exercise group ( n = 52 ) , and ( 3 ) a partially adherent exercise group ( n = 32 ) . METHODS Following evaluation , each patient received an individualized exercise program addressing the impairments and functional disabilities identified during the assessment . The control group received no intervention . Changes in performance on five clinical tests of balance and mobility and fall risk were compared among groups . RESULTS Both exercise groups scored better than the control group on all measures of balance and mobility . Although both exercise groups showed a reduction in fall risk compared with the control group , the greatest reduction was found in the fully adherent exercise group . Factors associated with successful response to exercise included degree of adherence to exercise program and pretest score on the Tinetti Mobility Assessment . CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION Exercise can improve balance and mobility function and reduce the likelihood for falls among community-dwelling older adults with a history of falling . The amount of exercise needed to achieve these results , however , could not be determined from this study
PRT had a large positive effect on strength ( 41 trials , 1955 participants ) , but there was statistical heterogeneity that was not explained by differences in study quality , participant characteristics or the exercise program .
REVIEW ER 'S CONCLUSIONS PRT appears to be an effective intervention to increase strength in older people and has a positive effect on some functional limitations .
However , the effect of this intervention on more substantive outcomes such as measures of disability or HRQOL remains unclear .
BACKGROUND Muscle weakness in old age , is associated with physical disability and an increased risk of falls .
Progressive resistance strength ( PRT ) training exercises ( i.e. movements performed against a specific external force that is regularly increased during training ) are design ed to increase strength in older people .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effect of PRT on measures of physical disability , functional limitation and impairment in older people  , and identify adverse events .