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 .
Progressive Resistance Muscle Strength Training of Hospitalized Frail Elderly
Sullivan DH , Wall PT , Bariola JR , Bopp MM , Frost YM : Progressive resistance muscle strength training of hospitalized frail elderly . Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2001;80:503–509 . Objective To determine whether frail elderly patients recuperating from acute illnesses could safely participate in and gain appreciable improvement in muscle strength from progressive resistance muscle strength training . Design Muscle strength ( one repetition maximum ) , functional abilities ( sit-to-st and maneuver and 20-sec maximal safe gait speed ) , and body composition were measured before and at the conclusion of a 10-wk program of lower limb progressive resistance muscle strength training . The nonr and omized study was conducted in a 30-bed geriatric rehabilitation unit of a university-affiliated Veterans Affairs hospital and a 28-bed transitional care unit of a community nursing home . Participants included 19 recuperating elderly subjects ( 14 male , 5 female ; 13 ambulatory , 6 nonambulatory ) > 64 yr ( mean age , 82.8 ± 7.9 yr ) . Results The one repetition maximum increased an average of 74 % ± 49 % ( median , 70 % ; interquartile range , 38%–95 % , and an average of 20 ± 13 kg ( P = 0.0001 ) . Sit-to-st and maneuver times improved in 15 of 19 cases ( 79 % ) . Maximum safe gait speeds improved in 10 of 19 cases ( 53 % ) . Four of the six nonambulatory subjects progressed to ambulatory status . No subject experienced a complication . Conclusions A carefully monitored program of progressive resistance muscle strength training to regain muscle strength is a safe and possibly effective method for frail elderly recuperating from acute illnesses . A r and omized control study is needed to examine the degree to which progressive resistance muscle strength training offers advantages , if any , over routine posthospital care that includes traditional low-intensity physical therapy
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 .