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 .
Effects of strength training on total and regional body composition in older men.
The effects of a 16-wk strength-training program on total and regional body composition were assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry ( DEXA ) , magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI ) , and hydrodensitometry in 13 untrained healthy men [ 60 + /- 4 ( SD ) yr ] . Nine additional men ( 62 + /- 6 yr ) served as inactive controls . The strength-training program result ed in substantial increases in both upper ( 39 + /- 8 % ; P < 0.001 ) and lower ( 42 + /- 14 % ; P < 0.001 ) body strength . Total fat-free mass ( FFM ) increased by 2 kg ( 62.0 + /- 7.1 to 64.0 + /- 7.2 kg ; P < 0.001 ) , and total fat mass decreased by the same amount ( 23.8 + /- 6.7 to 21.8 + /- 6.0 kg ; P < 0.001 ) when measured by DEXA . When measured by hydrodensitometry , similar increases in FFM ( 61.3 + /- 7.8 to 63.0 + /- 7.6 kg ; P < 0.01 ) and decreases in fat mass ( 23.8 + /- 7.9 to 22.1 + /- 7.7 kg ; P < 0.001 ) were observed . When measured by DEXA , FFM was increased in the arms ( 6.045 + /- 0.860 to 6.418 + /- 0.803 kg ; P < 0.01 ) , legs ( 19.416 + /- 2.228 to 20.131 + /- 2.303 kg ; P < 0.001 ) , and trunk ( 29.229 + /- 4.108 to 30.134 + /- 4.184 kg ; P < 0.01 ) , whereas fat mass was reduced in the arms ( 2.383 + /- 0.830 to 2.128 + /- 0.714 kg ; P < 0.01 ) , legs ( 7.583 + /- 1.675 to 6.945 + /- 1.551 kg ; P < 0.001 ) , and trunk ( 12.216 + /- 4.143 to 11.281 + /- 3.653 kg ; P < 0.01 ) as a result of training . ( ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS
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 .