PRT had a large positive effect on strength ( 41 trials , 1955 participants ) , but there was statistical heterogeneity that was not explained by differences in study quality , participant characteristics or the exercise program .
REVIEW ER 'S CONCLUSIONS PRT appears to be an effective intervention to increase strength in older people and has a positive effect on some functional limitations .
However , the effect of this intervention on more substantive outcomes such as measures of disability or HRQOL remains unclear .
BACKGROUND Muscle weakness in old age , is associated with physical disability and an increased risk of falls .
Progressive resistance strength ( PRT ) training exercises ( i.e. movements performed against a specific external force that is regularly increased during training ) are design ed to increase strength in older people .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effect of PRT on measures of physical disability , functional limitation and impairment in older people  , and identify adverse events .
Effects of 16 weeks of resistance training on left ventricular morphology and systolic function in healthy men >60 years of age.
Resistance training ( RT ) has gained popularity as an effective form of exercise for older adults . However , the effects of RT on left ventricular ( LV ) morphology and systolic function in older persons is not well known . The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of 16 weeks of RT on LV morphology and systolic function in healthy older men . Subjects were r and omly assigned into a  RT group ( n = 10 ; mean+/- SD age , 68 + /- 3 years ) or a nonexercise control group ( n = 10 ; age 68 + /- 4 years ) .  RT was performed 3 times per week for 16 weeks at a mean intensity between 60 % and 80 % of 1 repetition maximum .  Leg and bench press 1 repetition maximum and 2-dimensional echocardiography  were performed at baseline and after 4 , 8 , 12 , and 16 weeks of training in the RT group . Sixteen weeks of RT was associated with an increase in leg press maximal strength ( baseline , 285 + /- 48 kg ; after 16 weeks , 367 + /- 47 kg ; p < 0.05 ) and bench press maximal strength ( baseline , 59 + /- 11 kg ; after 16 weeks , 69 + /- 11 kg ; p < 0.05 ) . No change in leg press maximal strength ( baseline , 291 + /- 59 kg ; after 16 weeks , 290 + /- 53 kg ; p > 0.05 ) or bench press maximal strength ( baseline , 60 + /- 9 kg ; after 16 weeks , 61 + /- 13 kg ; p > .05 ) was found in control subjects during the same time . RT was not associated with changes in LV cavity size , wall thickness , mass , or systolic function after 4 , 8 , 12 , and 16 weeks of exercise . Thus , 16 weeks of RT was sufficient to increase leg press and bench press maximal strength but did not alter the size or systolic function of the senescent left ventricle
PRT had a large positive effect on strength ( 41 trials , 1955 participants ) , but there was statistical heterogeneity that was not explained by differences in study quality , participant characteristics or the exercise program .
REVIEW ER 'S CONCLUSIONS PRT appears to be an effective intervention to increase strength in older people and has a positive effect on some functional limitations .
However , the effect of this intervention on more substantive outcomes such as measures of disability or HRQOL remains unclear .
BACKGROUND Muscle weakness in old age , is associated with physical disability and an increased risk of falls .
Progressive resistance strength ( PRT ) training exercises ( i.e. movements performed against a specific external force that is regularly increased during training ) are design ed to increase strength in older people .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effect of PRT on measures of physical disability , functional limitation and impairment in older people  , and identify adverse events .