This review found that muscle strength , balance , and endurance can be improved by physical activity in people aged 40 - 65 years .
There were bigger effects on muscle strength from programs that used resistance exercises , indicating the need to include a resistance training component if strength enhancement is the goal
QUESTION Can physical activity  in adults aged 40 - 65 years enhance strength and balance and prevent falls ?
Controlling balance decline across the menopause using a balance-strategy training program: a randomized, controlled trial
Objective To evaluate effectiveness and long-term benefits of a specific balance- strategy training program in sedentary women aged 40–60 years and whether participation leads to adoption of a more active lifestyle . Method Fifty healthy women were admitted to the r and omized , controlled trial on the basis of their activity level . Subjects were r and omly assigned to an intervention or control group , with the former attending twice-weekly for 12 weeks . Assessment s made pre- and post-intervention and at 9 months follow-up included : personal demographics , hormone replacement therapy medication , activity level , balance measures , somatosensory function , ankle flexibility and leg muscle strength . Results The intervention group showed improvement in balance measures ( p < 0.030 ) , right ankle tactile sensation ( p = 0.027 ) , ankle flexibility ( p < 0.000 ) and muscle strength ( p < 0.018 ) of quadriceps , hip abductors and external rotators , compared with the control group immediately after intervention . At 9 months follow-up , the intervention effect was maintained for all measures and a latent improvement of somatosensory measures ( tactile acuity of foot ( p < 0.05 ) , joint repositioning sense ( p < 0.010 ) , and vibration threshold of the left knee ( p < 0.016 ) ) revealed . The intervention group also adopted a more active lifestyle ( p = 0.000 ) . Conclusion These results provide evidence that this physiotherapist- design ed program preserves/reverses the balance decline associated with age and leads to adoption of a more active lifestyle
This review found that muscle strength , balance , and endurance can be improved by physical activity in people aged 40 - 65 years .
There were bigger effects on muscle strength from programs that used resistance exercises , indicating the need to include a resistance training component if strength enhancement is the goal
QUESTION Can physical activity  in adults aged 40 - 65 years enhance strength and balance and prevent falls ?