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 .
Strength training in old age: adaptation of antagonist muscles at the ankle joint.
The purpose of this study was to determine whether strength training could reduce the deficit in plantarflexion ( PF ) maximal voluntary contraction ( MVC ) torque observed in previous studies in older subjects relative to young adults . Accordingly , the effects of a 6-month strength training program on the muscle and neural properties of the major muscle groups around the ankle were examined . PF and dorsiflexion ( DF ) isometric MVC torques were measured and surface electromyographic activity of the triceps surae and tibialis anterior muscles was recorded . The strength training program was very effective in improving strength in PF ( + 24.5 % ) , and it thus reduced the DF-to-PF MVC torque ratio ; in addition , it also induced gains in DF ( + 7.6 % ) . Thus , there must be an improvement in ankle joint stability . In PF , gains were due particularly to a modification of the agonist neural drive ; in DF , the gains appeared to be the consequence of a reduction in antagonist coactivation . Our findings indicate that the investigation of one muscle group should always be accompanied by examination of its antagonist muscle group
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 .