There was a large heterogeneity in the studies concerning sample size , types of interventions and types of assessment s. There is strong evidence for a positive effect of  physical training  on muscle strength and mobility ; moderate evidence for an effect on range of motion ; and contradictory evidence regarding gait , activities of daily living , balance and endurance .
OBJECTIVE the positive effect of physical training in healthy elderly people is well documented .
The aim of this systematic review was to describe the effect of physical training on physical performance in institutionalised elderly patients with multiple diagnoses .
Association of muscle power with functional status in community-dwelling elderly women.
BACKGROUND Identification of the physiologic factors most relevant to functional independence in the elderly population is critical for the design of effective interventions . It has been suggested that muscle power may be more directly related to impaired physical performance than muscle strength in elderly persons . We tested the hypothesis that peak muscle power is closely associated with self-reported functional status in sedentary elderly community-dwelling women . METHODS We used baseline data that were collected as part of a 1-year r and omized controlled clinical trial of a combined program of strength , power , and endurance training in 80 elderly women ( mean age 74.8 + /- 5.0 years ) with 3.2 + /- 1.9 chronic diseases , selected for baseline functional impairment and /or falls . RESULTS Functional status at baseline was related in univariate analyses to physiologic capacity , habitual physical activity level , neuropsychological status , and medical diagnoses . Leg power had the strongest univariate correlation to self-reported functional status ( r = -.47 , p < .0001 ) of any of the physiologic factors we tested . In a forward stepwise regression model , leg press power and habitual physical activity level were the only two factors that contributed independently to functional status ( r = .64 , p < .0001 ) , accounting for 40 % of the variance in functional status . CONCLUSIONS Leg power is a strong predictor of self-reported functional status in elderly women
There was a large heterogeneity in the studies concerning sample size , types of interventions and types of assessment s. There is strong evidence for a positive effect of  physical training  on muscle strength and mobility ; moderate evidence for an effect on range of motion ; and contradictory evidence regarding gait , activities of daily living , balance and endurance .
OBJECTIVE the positive effect of physical training in healthy elderly people is well documented .
The aim of this systematic review was to describe the effect of physical training on physical performance in institutionalised elderly patients with multiple diagnoses .