It is also possible that PRT alone is not a robust intervention for balance control .
This is the first systematic synthesis of the literature to examine the effectiveness of PRT alone on balance performance in older adults .
The limited evidence presented in currently published data has not consistently shown that the use of PRT in isolation improves balance in this population .
The serious health , social and economic consequences of falls are well documented .
Lower extremity muscle weakness and power as well as balance impairment are major independent intrinsic contributors to falls and amenable to intervention .
Progressive resistance training ( PRT ) is widely accepted as an appropriate modality for treating sarcopenia and has been reported to improve balance .
However , other studies affirm no significant effect of PRT on balance .
To date , there is no clear , definitive statement or synthesis of studies that has examined the effect of PRT on balance .
Therefore , our objective was to systematic ally review the literature to probe the merit of PRT as a single intervention on balance performance in older adults .
Power training improves balance in healthy older adults.
BACKGROUND Age-related decline in muscle power may be an early indicator of balance deficits and fall risk , even in nonfrail adults . This study examined the dose-dependent effect of power training on balance performance in healthy older adults . METHODS One hundred twelve community-dwelling healthy older adults ( 69 + /- 6 years ) were r and omized to 8 - 12 weeks of power training at 20 % ( LOW ) , 50 % ( MED ) , or 80 % ( HIGH ) of maximal strength , or a nontraining control ( CON ) group . Participants trained twice weekly ( five exercises ; three sets of eight rapid concentric/slow eccentric repetitions ) using pneumatic resistance machines .  Balance , muscle performance ( strength , power , endurance , contraction velocity ) , and body composition were measured . RESULTS Power training significantly improved balance performance ( p = .006 ) in participants who underwent power training compared to controls . Low intensity power training produced the greatest improvement in balance performance ( p = .048 ) . Average contraction velocity at low load ( 40 % one repetition maximum [ 1RM ] ) at baseline independently predicted improvement in balance following training ( r = -.29 , p = .004 ) . CONCLUSIONS Power training improves balance , particularly using a low load , high velocity regimen , in older adults with initial lower muscle power and slower contraction . Further studies are warranted to define the mechanisms underlying this adaptation , as well as the optimum power training intensity for a range of physiological and clinical outcomes in older adults with varying levels of health status and functional independence
It is also possible that PRT alone is not a robust intervention for balance control .
This is the first systematic synthesis of the literature to examine the effectiveness of PRT alone on balance performance in older adults .
The limited evidence presented in currently published data has not consistently shown that the use of PRT in isolation improves balance in this population .
The serious health , social and economic consequences of falls are well documented .
Lower extremity muscle weakness and power as well as balance impairment are major independent intrinsic contributors to falls and amenable to intervention .
Progressive resistance training ( PRT ) is widely accepted as an appropriate modality for treating sarcopenia and has been reported to improve balance .
However , other studies affirm no significant effect of PRT on balance .
To date , there is no clear , definitive statement or synthesis of studies that has examined the effect of PRT on balance .
Therefore , our objective was to systematic ally review the literature to probe the merit of PRT as a single intervention on balance performance in older adults .