Combination training and resistance training as effective interventions to improve functioning in elders. Exercise--it's never too late: the strong-for-life program. A HOME-BASED MULTIDIMENSIONAL EXERCISE PROGRAM REDUCED PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT AND FEAR OF FALLING Home-based resistance training: predictors of participation and adherence. The efficacy of counseling and progressive resistance home-exercises on adherence, health-related quality of life and function after discharge from a geriatric day-hospital. Effects of home-based resistance training and neuromuscular electrical stimulation in knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial Effectiveness of a home-based strengthening program for elderly males in Italy. A preliminary study Resistance training on physical performance in disabled older female cardiac patients. Resistive training and long-term function in older adults. Exercise and Functional Tasks Among Adults Who Are Functionally Limited A home-based resistance-training program
using elastic bands for elderly patients
with orthostatic hypotension Functional tasks exercise versus resistance exercise to improve daily function in older women: a feasibility study. Efficacy of a home-based training program for older adults using elastic tubing A home-based exercise program for nondisabled older adults. A Combined Aerobic and Resistance Exercise Program Improves Physical Functional Performance in Patients With Heart Failure: A Pilot Study Effect of low-intensity versus high-intensity resistance training on the functioning of the institutionalized frail elderly The efficacy of home-based muscle training for the elderly osteoporotic women: the effects of daily muscle training on quality of life (QoL).
The purpose of the study was to determine whether resistance training ( RT ) or a combination of resistance and aerobic training ( CT ) result ed in the most improvement in measures of functional ability in functionally limited elders . Elderly adults who exhibited some limits in functional ability were r and omly assigned to either a CT , RT , or control ( C ) group . Both RT and CT exercised three times per week for 16 weeks . At Weeks 0 and 17 , participants completed six measures of strength and six functional tests . A 3 ( group ) x 3 ( time ) ANOVA with repeated measures on the time factor was used to analyze the results . CT and RT scored significantly better than C at Week 17 for biceps curl , elbow extension , chair st and , and time up the stairs . These findings demonstrate that RT and CT are both effective at increasing measures of strength and functional ability in elderly adults who begin exercise with functional limitations OBJECTIVES This investigation determined whether an in-home resistance training program achieved health benefits in older adults with disabilities . METHODS A r and omized controlled trial compared the effects of assigning 215 older persons to either a home-based resistance exercise training group or a waiting list control group . Assessment s were conducted at baseline and at 3 and 6 months following r and omization . The program consisted of videotaped exercise routines performed with elastic b and s of varying thickness . RESULTS High rates of exercise adherence were achieved , with 89 % of the recommended exercise sessions performed over 6 months . Relative to controls , subjects who participated in the program achieved statistically significant lower extremity strength improvements of 6 % to 12 % , a 20 % improvement in t and em gait , and a 15 % to 18 % reduction in physical and overall disability at the 6-month follow-up . No adverse health effects were encountered . CONCLUSIONS These findings provide important evidence that home-based resistance exercise programs design ed for older persons with disabilities hold promise as an effective public health strategy Abstract Objective . To investigate the efficacy of a guided and grade d home-based exercise program for improving a range of physical outcomes in older people . Design . Controlled clinical trial of 16 weeks Setting . Two geographical areas in Gent , Belgium Participants . 66 independent-living older people ( age : 71 - 98 ) with a history of falls and moderate physical impairment Intervention . Twenty-four 30-minute training sessions were given by a trained physiotherapist over a period of 16 weeks in the participant ’s home . Different types of exercises on balance , aerobic performance , flexibility , and muscle strength were provided . Main outcome measures . Muscle strength , static and dynamic balance , aerobic performance , activities in daily living , fear of falling and avoidance of daily activities were assessed at baseline and after 16 weeks intervention . Results : At baseline , there were no significant differences in the measured variables between exercise and control groups . After 16 weeks , the exercise group showed significantly improved ankle muscle strength , balance performance and aerobic capacity , and decreased fear of falling , dependency in daily activities and avoidance of daily activities compared to the control group . The improvements in knee muscle strength , timed chair st and s , and functional reach were not significant . Conclusion : The home-based , individualized exercise program was effective in reducing several physical factors associated with falls in community-dwelling older people with moderate physical impairment . The decrease in fear of falling and other behavioural variables needs to be considered with care and needs further investigation This study identified factors associated with exercise participation  and  adherence  in a sample of 102 sedentary , functionally limited , community-dwelling adults aged 60 to 94 years who participated in a home-based resistance training program .  Stepwise regression analyses revealed that baseline physical factors ( i.e. , higher levels of mobility , weaker muscle strength , and fewer numbers of new medical conditions ) were associated with higher rates of participation in the home program .  Positive attitudes and a sense of control toward exercise , lower levels of confusion and depressive moods , and the development of fewer new medical problems during the program were related to higher levels of adherence to the program . Findings revealed that although physical health variables were the primary indicators of an older person 's overall participation in the program , it was the psychological factors that were most important to adherence to this home-based program Loss of function and low exercise adherence is common among older people after hospitalization . The aim of this r and omized-controlled trial was to evaluate the effects of a combined counseling- and exercise program on changes in health-related quality of life ( HRQL ) and physical function in patients attending a day hospital and continuing exercise at home . The exercise program consisted of counseling , balance- and progressive resistance training and support from the physical therapist at Geriatric Day-Hospital ( GDH ) and home for the Intervention-group . The  Control-group received counseling , balance-training and support from the physical therapist .  The sample was recruited from a GDH in Norway . 108 participants were r and omized into the Intervention group ( IT ) ( n=53 ) or the Control group ( CT ) ( n=55 ) . After 3 months 77 participants were tested . The intention to treat analysis showed that the program had significant benefits in terms of Health Related Quality of Life , measured by SF-36 , on the domains vitality and bodily pain , in favor of the IT-group who performed the combined resistance exercises and balance program . All participants increased their scores on physical function , measured by Berg Balance Scale , Timed Up and Go , 5 times Sit-to-St and , 6 Min Walk Test and Activities Balance Confidence Scale , no group differences . Both groups were adherent to the  home exercise program The results show that it is possible to facilitate older people to increase their HRQL , physical function and level of physical activity through counseling , exercise and support from physical therapists Background Quadriceps femoris muscle ( QFM ) weakness is a feature of knee osteoarthritis ( OA ) and exercise programs that strengthen this muscle group can improve function , disability and pain . Traditional supervised resistance exercise is however re source intensive and dependent on good adherence which can be challenging to achieve in patients with significant knee OA . Because of the limitations of traditional exercise programs , interest has been shown in the use of neuromuscular electrical stimulation ( NMES ) to strengthen the QFM . We conducted a single-blind , prospect i ve r and omized controlled study to compare the effects of home-based resistance training ( RT ) and NMES on patients with moderate to severe knee OA . Methods 41 patients aged 55 to 75 years were r and omised to 6 week programs of RT , NMES or a control group receiving st and ard care . The primary outcome was functional capacity measured using a walk test , stair climb test and chair rise test . Additional outcomes were self-reported disability , quadriceps strength and cross-sectional area . Outcomes were assessed pre- and post-intervention and at 6 weeks post-intervention ( weeks 1 , 8 and 14 respectively ) . Results There were similar , significant improvements in functional capacity for the RT and NMES groups at week 8 compared to week 1 ( p≤0.001 ) and compared to the control group ( p < 0.005 ) , and the improvements were maintained at week 14 ( p≤0.001 ) . Cross sectional area of the QFM increased in both training groups ( NMES : + 5.4 % ; RT : + 4.3 % ; p = 0.404 ) . Adherence was 91 % and 83 % in the NMES and RT groups respectively ( p = 0.324 ) . Conclusions Home-based NMES is an acceptable alternative to exercise therapy in the management of knee OA , producing similar improvements in functional capacity . Trial registration : Current Controlled Trials IS RCT Background and aims : The practice of regular physical exercise has been shown to be effective in slowing the age-related progressive functional deterioration . Most exercise trials have been conducted with supervised training programs . The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a 4-month home-based strength training on strength , function and personal satisfaction . Methods : Ten elderly men ( mean age 68.5 years ) were enrolled for home-based training  one month after completing a 4-month supervised program ; 12 age-matched men served as the control group . Subjects were asked to perform 3 sessions a week consisting of six resistance exercises with elastic b and s involving the major muscle groups of the upper and lower limbs . We had calculated the correlation between the elongation and resistance of the elastic b and s. The subjects were instructed to keep a diary reporting the execution of the session . We measured dynamic concentric strength of the muscle groups involved in the resistance exercises and maximal isometric strength of the knee extensors and elbow flexors before and after the 4- month home training . The Satisfaction Profile ( SAT-P ) question naire was administered before and one month after the completion of the training program for assessing personal satisfaction . Results : The final to baseline comparison showed a non-significant decrease in mean isometric maximal strength values for knee extensors and elbow flexors in the control group , while the exercise group significantly ( p=0.001 ) improved the average baseline values . Maximal dynamic concentric strength values decreased significantly in the control group , while significant improvements were observed in the exercising subjects . The SAT-P question naire did not show any difference in either group from baseline . The adherence-to- protocol rate based on self-report was 78 % . Conclusions : Home training with elastic b and s appears to be an effective low-cost modality of maintaining strength and function in an elderly population PURPOSE We evaluated the value of resistance training on measures of physical performance in disabled older women with coronary heart disease ( CHD ) . METHODS The study intervention consisted of a 6-month program of resistance training in a r and omized controlled trial format . Training intensity was at 80 % of the single-repetition maximal lift . Control patients performed light yoga and breathing exercises . Study participants included 42 women with CHD , all > or= 65 yr of age and community dwelling . Subjects were screened by question naire to have low self-reported physical function . The primary study measurements related to the performance of 16 household activities of the Continuous Scale Physical Functional Performance test ( CSPFP ) . These ranged from dressing , to kitchen and cleaning activities , to carrying groceries and walking onto a bus with luggage , and a 6-min walk . Activities were measured in time to complete a task , weight carried during a task , or distance walked . Other measures included body composition , measures of aerobic fitness and strength , and question naire-based measures of physical function and depression score . RESULTS Study groups were similar at baseline by age , aerobic capacity , strength , body composition , and in performing the CSPFP . After conditioning , 13 of 16 measured activities were performed more rapidly , or with increased weight carried , compared with the control group ( all P < 0.05 ) . Maximal power for activities that involved weight-bearing over a distance , increased by 40 % ( P < 0.05 ) . CONCLUSIONS Disabled older women with CHD who participate in an intense resistance-training program improve physical capacity over a wide range of household physical activities . Benefits extend beyond strength-related activities , as endurance , balance , coordination , and flexibility all improved . Strength training should be considered an important component in the rehabilitation of older women with CHD The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a 24-month moderate-intensity resistive-training intervention on strength and function in older adults .  A repeated- measures experimental research design was employed as a sample of 55 apparently healthy , older , community-dwelling volunteers ( 30 exercisers- 25 women and 5 men ; 25 comparisons- 16 women and 9 men ) were evaluated for strength of 5 muscle groups that influence lower extremity movement and physical function . Strength and function were evaluated at 6-month intervals . The findings from this study indicate that a moderate-intensity resistive-training program increases strength in older adults and that the strength benefits are retained for the duration of the intervention . Furthermore , a long-term strength-training program can increase independent-function skills in older adults and might therefore aid in prolonging functional independence This study compared the efficacy of 16 weeks of either resistance training , aerobic walking , or combined resistance training and aerobic walking on the performance of functional tasks among adults age 65 years and older with limited functional ability . One hundred thirty-one older adult individuals were r and omized into four groups : resistance training , aerobic walking , combined resistance and aerobic walking groups , or a nonexercise control group . Each of the exercise groups documented 70 % compliance with their respective exercise intervention , which included three weekly exercise sessions . At baseline , and 8 and 16 weeks following baseline , all participants completed six assessment s of their functional ability . Analysis of covariance indicated that all three exercise intervention groups significantly improved measures of functional ability , with the resistance group demonstrating the most consistent gains over the six measures . These findings indicate that older adults who are functionally limited can improve their functional ability through a variety of types of exercise Abstract .Falls are a common hazard in the elderly . Orthostatic hypotension ( OH ) is prevalent in older patients and contributes to the high incidence of falls . Our aim was to test whether a home-based resistance-training program ( HBRT ) using elastic resistance b and s could safely and effectively increase muscle strength and functional ability , and attenuate the orthostatic fall in blood pressure .  Eight subjects ( > 60 yrs ) underwent orthostatic provocations ; muscle strength testing ( isometric and dynamic ) , and a functional test of gait and mobility ( Timed Up & Go ) , at baseline and following 8 weeks of training . Ten exercises were assigned and customized to each participant . At 8 weeks , significant increases occurred in dynamic strength in the chest press ( p = 0.017 ) , quadriceps extension ( p = 0.017 ) , and leg press ( p = 0.025 ) ; no significant differences occurred in isometric strength or in blood pressures . Functional mobility increased in 7 of 8 subjects . There were no falls during the investigation period . Conclusion A HBRT program using elastic resistance b and s effectively increases dynamic muscle strength in elderly individuals with OH . Although no changes occurred in orthostatic blood pressures , which could be attributed to the limited length of the program , this therapy may be recognized as a safe method to improve strength , functional ability , and promote physical activity – variables that can reduce the incidence of falls and enhance the quality of life in this population OBJECTIVE To evaluate the feasibility of a new functional tasks exercise program , design ed to improve functional performance of community-dwelling older women , by comparing it with a resistance exercise program . DESIGN A 12-week , r and omized , single-blind pilot study . SETTING A community leisure center . PARTICIPANTS Twenty-four community-dwelling , medically stable women ( mean age , 74.6+/-4.8 y ) were r and omized to the functional tasks exercises ( function group ) or the resistance exercises ( resistance group ) . Three participants withdrew from the study . INTERVENTIONS Exercises were given 3 times weekly for 12 weeks . The functional tasks exercise program aim ed to improve daily tasks in the domains first affected in older adults , whereas the resistance exercise program focused on strengthening the muscle groups that are important for functional performance . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Participant satisfaction with the exercises , Assessment of Daily Activity Performance ( ADAP ) , and , as a secondary outcome , muscle strength and power . RESULTS Exercise adherence was 81 % in the function group and 90 % in the resistance group . Participants reported greater satisfaction with the resistance exercises than with the functional exercises . The ADAP total score improved with time ( P = .001 ; mean change function group , 7.5 U ; 95 % confidence interval [ CI ] , 2.1 - 12.8 ; resistance group , 2.8 U , 95 % CI , -0.4 to 5.9 ) , as did isometric knee extensor strength ( P = .001 ; mean change function group , 6.4 % ; 95 % CI , -1.6 to 14.5 ; resistance group , 14.4 % ; 95 % CI , 6.4 - 22.2 ) . Testing for differences in outcomes between the 2 groups showed no statistically significant differences . CONCLUSIONS The functional tasks exercise program is feasible and shows promise of being more effective for functional performance than a resistance exercise program . A r and omized controlled trial with a larger sample size is needed to test the difference between the 2 programs The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of , and the adherence to , a 12-week home-based progressive resistance training program for older adults utilizing elastic tubing . Sixty-two adults ( mean age , 71.2 years ) qualified to participate in the study . Subjects were r and omly assigned to either the exercise ( E ) ( n=31 ) or non-exercise ( NE ) group ( n=31 ) . Pre- and post-testing included isokinetic ( 1.05 rad · s −1 ) concentric/eccentric knee extension/flexion strength testing and flexibility measures of the hip , knee , and ankle . The E group trained three times per week , performing one to three sets of 10–12 repetitions for each of 12 resistance exercises . The exercises involved muscles of both the lower and upper body . Within the E group , 25 of the 31 subjects ( 80.6 % ) completed the study . Of the E subjects completing the study adherence to the three training sessions per week was 90 % ( range 72%–100 % ) . Training resistances used during workouts increased significantly with the average estimated increase being 82 % ( P<0.001 ) . The E group also demonstrated significant ( P<0.05 ) increases in isokinetic eccentric knee extension ( 12 % ) and flexion ( 10 % ) strength . No other significant changes were observed between E and NE groups . These results suggest that home-based resistance training programs utilizing elastic tubing can serve as a practical and effective means of eliciting strength gains in adults over the age of 65 OBJECTIVES This paper describes a videotaped , home-based , strength training program , titled Strong-for-Life and reports on its effectiveness in improving muscle strength , psychological well-being , and health status in a sample of older persons . DESIGN AND SETTING We enrolled 102 nondisabled , community-dwelling older people aged 66 to 87 , identified from the Medicare beneficiary list , into a r and omized , controlled trial . MEASUREMENTS Effectiveness was based on change in isokinetic upper and lower extremity muscle strength , psychologic well-being , and health status . RESULTS Results revealed several statistically significant short-term benefits after 12 to 15 weeks of exercise , especially for men . Younger older adults demonstrated a 10 % improvement in knee extensor strength relative to control subjects . Older male exercisers achieved significant differences relative to controls in perceived anger , tension , and overall social functioning . Male exercisers , in general , achieved significant improvement in perceived vigor . Women did not report psychological benefits following participation in the program . CONCLUSION Study results reveal that the Strong for Life program , design ed to be widely disseminated to the nondisabled older population , has many short-term positive benefits Background : Recent guidelines for exercise in patients with heart failure ( HF ) recommended aerobic and resistance exercise as being safe and effective ; however , the clinical and functional significance of these combined training modalities has not been established . In this pilot study , combined aerobic and resistance training was hypothesized to improve physical function , muscle strength , and health-related quality of life ( HRQOL ) compared with an attention control wait list ( ACWL ) . Methods : The 10-item Continuous Scale Physical Functional Performance Test ( CS-PFP10 ) , which simulates common household chores ; muscle strength ( h and grip and knee extension ) ; and HRQOL ( Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Question naire ) were evaluated at baseline ( T1 ) and at 12 weeks ( T2 ) . The home-based moderate-intensity walking and resistance training program was performed 5 days a week . Results : Twenty-four New York Heart Association class II to III HF patients ( mean [ SD ] age , 60 [ 10 ] years ; mean [ SD ] left ventricular ejection fraction , 25 % [ 9 % ] ) were r and omized to a combined aerobic and resistance exercise program or to an ACWL group . Of the total group , 58 % were New York Heart Association class III HF patients , 50 % were white , and 50 % were female . The CS-PFP10 total scores were significantly increased in the exercise group , from 45 ( 18 ) to 56 ( 16 ) . The Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Question naire overall summary score was significantly improved ( P < .001 ) at T2 in the exercise intervention group compared with the ACWL group . Conclusions : Participants provided the home-based , combined aerobic and resistance exercise program had significantly improved physical function , muscle strength , symptom severity , and HRQOL compared with the ACWL group . The findings of this study must be interpreted cautiously owing to the limitations of a small sample , data collection from a single center , and differences between control and interventions groups at baseline . A combined aerobic and resistance exercise approach may improve physical function in stable HF patients , but further study in a larger , more diverse population is recommended . However , in this study , the CS-PFP10 instrument demonstrated its ability to identify functional health status in HF patients and thus warrants further testing in a larger sample for possible use in clinical practice Frailty has emerged as an important risk factor for disability . Age-related declines in physical and physiological function lead to increased risk of loss of independence and poor quality of life . Recent evidence has shown the effectiveness of physical exercise programmes in preventing or reversing frailty . The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in the functioning of frail elderly individuals after undergoing  resistance training  for 3 days a week for 8 weeks . The effectiveness of exercise training was investigated in 48 frail elderly individuals who were r and omly assigned to the following intervention groups : high-intensity ( HI ; n=16 ; age : 69–96 years ) or low-intensity ( LI ; n=16 ; age : 77–93 years ) strength training groups or a control group ( n=16 ; age : 76–93 years ) with no specific exercise programme . Participants were assessed for muscle strength , physical function , activities of daily living , depression and quality of life . The HI group had significantly better results ( P<0.05 ) on the Short Physical Performance Test than the LI group ; however , the LI group did show a significant improvement in those scores , whereas the scores of the control group worsened . Results for the other evaluations were similarly favourable in both exercise groups ( P>0.05 ) . The study showed that LI exercise was as effective as HI exercise for most parameters tested . Exercise training is useful for the prevention or treatment of frailty , as it improves functioning by contributing positively to muscle strength , gait , balance and quality of life There is little evidence that home-based muscle training through exercise improves the muscle strength and QoL of elderly osteoporotic women . The efficacy of home-based daily exercise on muscle strength of the upper and lower extremities and QoL were examined in elderly osteoporotic women by means of a case-controlled study that was design ed and conducted between 2005 and 2006 . Sixty-three osteoporotic women over 60 years of age were r and omly assigned to 12 months of muscle exercise or to no intervention . The outcomes were changes in muscle strength and quality of life ( QoL ) . Ultimately , sixty-two participants completed the 12 months program . Before the start of home-exercise training , the lumbar spine bone mineral density ( BMD ) and femoral neck BMD values in the intervention group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( p<0.05 ) . Grip strength and maximum walking speed increased significantly in the intervention group ( p<0.05 ) . In terms of QoL , physical functioning was improved by home-based exercise in the intervention group ( p=0.05 ) , while there were no improvements in any of the categories of Short-Form 36 in the control group . Our results suggest that home-based training is effective for elderly osteoporotic women in improving not only muscle strength in upper and lower extremities but also physical functioning in
Overall , home-based resistance exercise  can improve both strength and functional ability , but the improvements are generally small .
The intensity of the exercises might not progress sufficiently enough to produce large improvements in strength as a result of less supervision or a lack of motivation to increase the intensity further
Home-based resistance exercise is commonly used for individuals who might not have access or the ability to use traditional resistance exercise .
However , the extent to which home-based resistance exercise can improve both strength and functional ability has not been investigated in healthy older individuals using a systematic analysis .