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 modest testosterone supplementation and exercise for 12 weeks on body composition and quality of life in elderly men.
OBJECTIVE One of the factors that may promote deterioration in quality of life and body composition in elderly men is the relative decline in serum testosterone levels with aging . In this study , we assessed the effects of modest doses of testosterone and a home-based strengthening program on quality of life and body composition in elderly men with relative testosterone insufficiency . DESIGN Double-blind , placebo-controlled r and omized study ( testosterone ) , and additional r and omization to a resistance exercise program or no additional exercise for 12 weeks in men between ages of 65 and 85 years with relative testosterone insufficiency . METHODS Seventy sedentary , community dwelling men were r and omized to a 5 mg testoderm transdermal system applied daily vs placebo system , and additionally r and omized to a home-based resistance exercise program . Subjects were r and omized to Group 1 ( testosterone plus exercise ) , Group 2 ( testosterone plus no exercise ) , Group 3 ( placebo plus exercise ) , and Group 4 ( placebo plus no exercise ) . Endpoints included quality of life ( assessed by the short form-36 question naire ) and body composition ( measured by dual x-ray absorptiometry scan ) . RESULTS Serum testosterone  increased by a mean of 10.0 + /- 1.9 , 6.6 + /- 1.6 , 0.52 + /- 0.6 , and 0.5 + /- 0.6 nmol/l in Groups 1 , 2 , 3 , and 4 respectively . There was a significant interaction of testosterone and exercise on quality of life in the domains of physical functioning ( P = 0.03 ) , role physical ( P = 0.01 ) , general health ( P = 0.049 ) , and social functioning ( P = 0.04 ) . There were no effects of testosterone or exercise on quality of life alone , nor in body composition parameters . CONCLUSIONS Modest testosterone supplementation to elderly men with relative testosterone insufficiency improved quality of life when accompanied by an exercise program . The combination of testosterone and exercise may be an important strategy in the elderly , though further studies are necessary to determine the long-term impact on body composition and function and for analysis of risk/benefit ratios as well
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 .