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 .
Gait performance in dementia: the effects of a 6-week resistance training program in an adult day-care setting.
BACKGROUND Age-related declines in balance and muscle power are largely responsible for the changes in the various components of gait performance among elderly people . But these can often be remedied with strength training .  People with cognitive impairment frequently demonstrate impaired gait , putting them at increased risks for falls and serious injury . OBJECTIVES This paper reports on the effects of a six-week pilot study of moderate intensity strength training on the gait of elderly individuals with dementia who attend a day-care center . METHODS Twenty-six adults ( 23 female , three male ) , age = 79.2 + /- 6.6 years , completed the study . Each subject completed a baseline assessment of lower extremity strength and gait . Gait was evaluated using free- and fast-gait speed over a 6-meter course , the Tinetti-Gait Assessment scale , the ' Timed-Up- and -Go ' , and the Gait Assessment Rating Scale ( GARS ) . The intervention consisted of moderate-intensity progressive resistance lower extremity exercise using Therab and , for two to three sessions per week over the six weeks . Post-intervention assessment of strength and gait was repeated at the completion of the sixth week . Multiple paired t-tests were calculated for each outcome measure . RESULTS The baseline assessment of gait suggests a high degree of frailty and risk for falls in the sample . Although post-intervention scores reflected improvement on all gait measures , the only statistically significant change observed was in fast-gait time . CONCLUSION A six-week resistance training program proved to be of insufficient duration , intensity or specificity to produce significant change in gait outcome measures , with the exception of fast speed gait
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 .