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 .
Balance improvements in older women: effects of exercise training.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Loss of lower-extremity strength increases the risk of falls in older persons . The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that a vigorous program of lower-extremity strengthening , walking , and postural control exercises would improve the single-stance balance of healthy older women and lower their risk of falls and fall-associated injuries . SUBJECTS From a total of 38 respondents , 21 women were r and omly assigned to either a treatment group ( combined training , n = 12 ) or a control group ( flexibility training , n = 9 ) . The subjects ranged in age from 62 to 75 years ( mean = 68 , SD = 3.5 ) . METHODS A r and omized control trial compared the effects of two exercise programs on static balance . The combined training group exercised three times per week on knee extension and sitting leg press machines , walked briskly for 20 minutes , and performed postural control exercises , which included simple tai chi movements . The flexibility training group performed postural control exercises weekly . Measurements of balance were obtained on a force platform in double and single stance , at baseline and following 6 months of exercise training . RESULTS Double-stance measurements were unchanged after training . The mean displacement of the center of pressure in single stance improved 17 % in the combined training group and did not change in the flexibility training group . A repeated- measures analysis of variance revealed that the difference in improvement between the combined training and flexibility training groups was not significant . DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION This is the first intervention trial to demonstrate improvements in single-stance postural sway in older women with exercise training . Additional studies with more subjects will be needed to determine whether a combined training program of resistance training , walking , and postural exercises can improve balance more than a program of postural control exercises alone
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 .