Conclusions This review provides evidence that RT has a moderate positive effect on self-reported disability/function  in old people with or at risk for disability .
The effects are strongly associated with effects on objective measures of lower body functional capacity
Background Self-reported disability has a strong negative impact on older people ’s  quality of life and is often associated with the need for assistance and health care services .
Resistance training ( RT ) has been repeatedly shown to improve muscle function ( e.g. strength ) and functional capacity ( e.g. gait speed , chair-rise ) in older adults with functional limitations .
Nevertheless , it is unclear whether such objective ly assessed improvements translate into a reduction in self-reported disability .
Objectives To assess : i ) whether and to what extent RT interventions have an effect on self-reported disability in older adults ( ≥65 years ) with functional limitations or disability ; and ii ) whether the effects on self-reported disability are associated with changes in objective measures of muscle strength and functional capacity across studies .
Resistance training on physical performance in disabled older female cardiac patients.
PURPOSE We evaluated the value of resistance training on measures of physical performance in disabled older women with coronary heart disease ( CHD ) . METHODS The study intervention consisted of a 6-month program of resistance training in a r and omized controlled trial format . Training intensity was at 80 % of the single-repetition maximal lift . Control patients performed light yoga and breathing exercises . Study participants included 42 women with CHD , all > or= 65 yr of age and community dwelling . Subjects were screened by question naire to have low self-reported physical function . The primary study measurements related to the performance of 16 household activities of the Continuous Scale Physical Functional Performance test ( CSPFP ) . These ranged from dressing , to kitchen and cleaning activities , to carrying groceries and walking onto a bus with luggage , and a 6-min walk . Activities were measured in time to complete a task , weight carried during a task , or distance walked . Other measures included body composition , measures of aerobic fitness and strength , and question naire-based measures of physical function and depression score . RESULTS Study groups were similar at baseline by age , aerobic capacity , strength , body composition , and in performing the CSPFP . After conditioning , 13 of 16 measured activities were performed more rapidly , or with increased weight carried , compared with the control group ( all P < 0.05 ) . Maximal power for activities that involved weight-bearing over a distance , increased by 40 % ( P < 0.05 ) . CONCLUSIONS Disabled older women with CHD who participate in an intense resistance-training program improve physical capacity over a wide range of household physical activities . Benefits extend beyond strength-related activities , as endurance , balance , coordination , and flexibility all improved . Strength training should be considered an important component in the rehabilitation of older women with CHD
Conclusions This review provides evidence that RT has a moderate positive effect on self-reported disability/function  in old people with or at risk for disability .
The effects are strongly associated with effects on objective measures of lower body functional capacity
Background Self-reported disability has a strong negative impact on older people ’s  quality of life and is often associated with the need for assistance and health care services .
Resistance training ( RT ) has been repeatedly shown to improve muscle function ( e.g. strength ) and functional capacity ( e.g. gait speed , chair-rise ) in older adults with functional limitations .
Nevertheless , it is unclear whether such objective ly assessed improvements translate into a reduction in self-reported disability .
Objectives To assess : i ) whether and to what extent RT interventions have an effect on self-reported disability in older adults ( ≥65 years ) with functional limitations or disability ; and ii ) whether the effects on self-reported disability are associated with changes in objective measures of muscle strength and functional capacity across studies .