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 .
Heavy resistance training increases muscle size, strength and physical function in elderly male COPD-patients--a pilot study.
This study investigated the effects of heavy resistance training in elderly males with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD ) . 18 Home-dwelling male patients ( age range : 65 - 80 years ) , with a mean forced expiratory volume in the first second ( FEV1 ) of 46 + /- 3.4 % of predicted value , were recruited . Baseline and post-training assessment s included : Cross-sectional area ( CSA ) of quadriceps assessed by MRI , isometric and isokinetic knee extension strength , isometric trunk strength , leg extension power , normal and maximal gait-speed on a 30 m track , stair climbing time , number of chair st and s in 30 s , lung function ( FEV1 ) and self-reported health . Subjects were r and omized to a resistance training group ( RE , n = 9 ) or a control group conducting breathing exercises ( CON , n = 9 ) . RE performed heavy progressive resistance training twice a week for 12 weeks . 6 RE and 7 CON completed the study . In RE the following improved ( P < 0.05 ) : Quadriceps CSA : 4 % , isometric knee extension strength : 14 % , isokinetic knee extension strength at 60 degrees /s . : 18 % , leg extension power : 19 % , maximal gait speed : 14 % , stair climbing time : 17 % , isometric trunk flexion : 5 % and self-reported health . In CON no changes were found . In conclusion , 12 weeks of heavy resistance training twice a week result ed in significant improvements in muscle size , knee extension strength , leg extension power , functional performance and self-reported health in elderly male COPD patients
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 .