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 .
The effects of systematic resistance training in the elderly.
The aim of the study was to examine the effects of a maximal resistance training following the principles of the most effective resistance training known from sport adapted to elderly people . Twenty-four subjects were r and omly assigned into a training group ( 10 females and 4 males , age ; 76.2 + /- 3.2 years ) that underwent a training program and a control group ( 6 females and 4 males , age ; 76.6 + /- 2.7 years ) that did not participate in the training program .  Before and after the training period , both groups were identically examined ( blood and urine sample , spiroergometric testing , morphological measurements ) . The training group underwent a 12-week training program . Eight different exercises for the largest muscle groups of the largest joints were defined as one training circle . Training took place twice a week and commenced with two training circles per week ( one circle per training session ) . After every four weeks , one training circle per week was added until four training circles per week were reached . Before , after every four weeks ( changes in training amount ) and after the training period , the maximum strength was measured . Data was analysed by the independent T-test and the analysis of variance , in case of significance , the dependent T-test and the Scheffé-test were used . In the resistance training group , the fat-free body mass was increased by approximately 2.9 + /- 0.5 kg , with no significant difference between females and males . Ergometrical fitness was increased by approximately 15 % , while the maximum oxygen uptake was increased by approximately 12 % . Maximum strength was increased between 26 % ( bench pull ) and 38 % ( leg press ) . Resistance training that consisted of two training sessions per week was found to be at least as efficient as resistance training that included three training sessions per week , provided that the number of sets performed were equal . Seventy-five-year-old females were found to have a significantly higher body fat content than males of the same age ( 37 % versus 26 % , respectively ) . However , the decrease in body fat mass due to resistance training was found to be equal in both females and males ( - 4 + /- 0.8 kg ) . Furthermore , there was almost no difference in muscle strength between the sexes for this age group ( for example ; leg press : females 86 kg versus males 82 kg )
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 .