title: A comparison of community-based resistance exercise and flexibility exercise for seniors.
abstract: Progressive resistance training has positive effects on the health of elderly people, however exercise programs for seniors frequently focus on other forms of exercise. This study is a randomised trial with a blinded assessor comparing a community based progressive resistance training program (n = 20) with a flexibility program (n = 20), both one hour twice weekly for 10 weeks. Outcomes were strength, gait, balance and quality of life. Progressive resistance training had a greater effect than flexibility training on right sided quadriceps strength (mean difference between groups = 7.7%; 95% CI 3.6-11.8%, p < 0.003 MANOVA), left sided quadriceps strength (mean difference = 9.9%; 95% CI 5.6-14.2%, p < 0.003 MANOVA), left sided biceps strength (mean difference = 15.2%; 95% CI 11.7-19.2%, p < 0.003 MANOVA), functional reach (mean difference = 11.7%; 95% CI 7.1-16.3%, p < 0.003 MANOVA) and step test (mean difference = 8.6%; 95% CI 3.8-13.4%, p < 0.003 MANOVA). Neither group had improvements in SF36 quality of life measures. Results suggest progressive resistance training produces greater strength, gait and balance improvements in elderly people than a flexibility exercise program.
authors.affiliation: St George Hospital, Sydney.
authors.forename: Claudine J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Barrett
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Smerdely
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D004856:Postural Balance; D011788:Quality of Life; D014891:Weight Lifting