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 .
A randomized controlled trial of a home exercise programme for elderly people with poor mobility.
Eighty-six elderly people with limited mobility and dependence in at least one activity of daily living were recruited to a home exercise study . The subjects ( mean age 82 years ) were allocated at r and om to either a strength exercise group , a mobility exercise group or a health education group . Subjects were visited for 30 minutes every 3 - 4 weeks by a physiotherapist who gave both verbal and written instruction . Sixty-nine of the original 86 completed the 6-month study , with five drop-outs from the strength group , ten drop-outs from the mobility group , and two drop-outs from the health education group . By the end of the study , there were no significant differences between the groups with regard to changes in outcome variables . The results showed a trend towards improvement in both the exercise groups in both Sit to St and and Timed Get Up and Go tests , but this failed to attain statistical significance . Further work is required to identify the optimal exercise intervention for this subgroup of the elderly population
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 .