Exercise--it's never too late: the strong-for-life program.
OBJECTIVE
This investigation determined whether an in-home resistance training program achieved health benefits in older adults with disabilities.


METHODS
A randomized 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. Assessments were conducted at baseline and at 3 and 6 months following randomization. The program consisted of videotaped exercise routines performed with elastic bands 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 tandem 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 designed for older persons with disabilities hold promise as an effective public health strategy.
Jette
A M
AM
Sargent College, Boston University, MA 02215, USA. ajette@bu.edu
Lachman
M
M
Giorgetti
M M
MM
Assmann
S F
SF
Harris
B A
BA
Levenson
C
C
Wernick
M
M
Krebs
D
D
D000368:Aged; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005684:Gait; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015397:Program Evaluation; D014743:Videotape Recording