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 .
Preventing falls on an elderly care rehabilitation ward
Objective : Comparison of two flooring types – carpet and vinyl – in the bed areas , and two modes of physiotherapy – conventional therapy and additional leg strengthening exercises – in avoiding falls . Design : R and omized 2 × 2 controlled trial . Setting : Elderly care rehabilitation ward in a community hospital . Subjects : Fifty-four consecutive patients referred for rehabilitation . Outcome measures : The incidence of falls , and the change in strength . Results : There were 10 falls on carpet , and only a single fall on vinyl floor covering ( relative risk 8.3 , 95 % confidence interval 0.95–73 , p = 0.05 ) . There were four falls in those receiving  additional exercise  , and seven falls in those receiving only conventional physiotherapy ( relative risk 0.21 , 95 % confidence interval 0.04–1.2 , p = 0.12 ) . Fifty-nine per cent of patients were able to complete strength measurements on admission and discharge . In these , h and grip strength improved more in those given additional exercise than conventional physiotherapy ( 2.1 kg versus – 0.3 kg , p < 0.05 ) . Conclusion : There is no evidence to support either intervention in preventing falls on a rehabilitation ward , but within this low-powered study , there was a strong trend towards vinyl being superior
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 .