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 .
A randomized controlled trial of progressive resistance training in depressed elders.
BACKGROUND Depression in elderly people may be contributed to by the multiple losses of aging . Exercise has the potential to positively impact many of these losses simultaneously . We tested the hypothesis that progressive resistance training ( PRT ) would reduce depression while improving physiologic capacity , quality of life , morale , function and self-efficacy without adverse events in an older , significantly depressed population . METHODS We conducted a 10-week r and omized controlled trial of volunteers aged 60 and above with major or minor depression or dysthymia . Subjects were r and omized for 10 weeks to either a supervised PRT program three times a week or an attention-control group . RESULTS A total of 32 subjects aged 60 - 84 , mean age 71.3 + /- 1.2 yr , were r and omized and completed the study . No significant adverse events occurred . Median compliance was 95 % . PRT significantly reduced all depression measures ( Beck Depression Inventory in exercisers 21.3 + /- 1.8 to 9.8 + /- 2.4 versus controls 18.4 + /- 1.7 to 13.8 + /- 2 , p = .002 ; Hamilton Rating Scale of Depression in exercisers 12.3 + /- 0.9 to 5.3 + /- 1.3 versus controls 11.4 + /- 1.0 to 8.9 + /- 1.3 , p = .008 ) . Quality of life subscales of bodily pain ( p = .001 ) , vitality ( p = .002 ) , social functioning ( p = .008 ) , and role emotional ( p = .02 ) were all significantly improved by exercise compared to controls . Strength increased a mean of 33 % + /- 4 % in exercisers and decreased 2 % + /- 2 % in controls ( p < .0001 ) . In a multiple stepwise regression model , intensity of training was a significant independent predictor of decrease in depression scores ( r2 = .617 , p = .0002 ) . CONCLUSIONS PRT is an effective antidepressant in depressed elders , while also improving strength , morale , and quality of life
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 .