PRT results in improvements to muscle strength and some aspects of functional limitation , such as gait speed , in older adults .
However , based on current data , the effect of PRT on physical disability remains unclear .
Further , due to the poor reporting of adverse events in trials , it is difficult to evaluate the risks associated with PRT
BACKGROUND The aim of this systematic review was to quantify the effectiveness of progressive resistance strength training ( PRT ) to reduce  physical disability in older people .
Effects of a whole-body resistive training regimen in the elderly.
Twenty active elderly subjects ( mean age = 66.4 years , range 51 - 81 ) participated in a 12-week weight-training program to determine the possibility of increasing muscular strength and lean body weight . The training utilized variable resistance weight machines which trained the major muscle groups . The male subjects ( n = 11 ) experienced an average increase of 66.1 % ( SD = 19.39 , p < 0.00001 ) in total maximum weight lifted while the females ( n = 9 ) showed an average increase of 72.2 % ( SD = 33.44 , p < 0.001 ) . Lean body weight , which was calculated by skinfold measurements for each group did increase , but was not statistically significant ( males p < 0.11 , females p < 0.18 ) . The study demonstrated the positive effects a weight-training regimen can have on an elderly population
PRT results in improvements to muscle strength and some aspects of functional limitation , such as gait speed , in older adults .
However , based on current data , the effect of PRT on physical disability remains unclear .
Further , due to the poor reporting of adverse events in trials , it is difficult to evaluate the risks associated with PRT
BACKGROUND The aim of this systematic review was to quantify the effectiveness of progressive resistance strength training ( PRT ) to reduce  physical disability in older people .