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 .
Evaluation of a supervised exercise program in a geriatric population.
Most studies that assess the effects of exercise in the elderly involve subjects who are in good health . The objective of this prospect i ve longitudinal study was to examine the impact of exercise on cardiovascular fitness , flexibility , and strength in an elderly population that included chronically ill individuals . Patients were recruited initially from a population of veterans over 64 years of age who use a VA outpatient clinic as their regular source of care . The exercise intervention consisted of 90 minutes of exercise 3 days per week at 70 % of the patient 's maximal capacity . Activities included stationary cycling , stretching , weight training , and walking .  Of 69 patients who began the program , 49 ( 71 % ) reached 4-month follow-up . Most patients completing follow-up ( 76 % ) had at least one chronic disease , such as arthritis , hypertension , or heart disease . Patients who dropped out were more likely to have multiple chronic illnesses than those who remained in the program . Average weekly attendance was 65 % and was stable over time . Improvements in cardiovascular fitness at 4-month follow-up were significant : Metabolic equivalents increased from 7.1 + /- 2.3 to 8.3 + /- 2.6 ( P less than .001 ) , treadmill time increased from 8.5 + /- 3.8 to 11.2 + /- 4.2 minutes ( P less than .001 ) , submaximal heart rate decreased from 123.7 + /- 18.8 to 118.8 + /- 19.4 beats per minute ( P less than .001 ) and resting heart rate decreased from 68.1 + /- 10.6 to 63.3 + /- 11.6 beats per minute ( P = .005 ) . ( ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS
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 .