title: Short-term, light- to moderate-intensity exercise training improves leg muscle strength in the oldest old: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effects of an 8-week exercise training program with a special focus on light- to moderate-intensity resistance exercises (30-70% of one repetition maximum, 1RM) and a subsequent 4-week training cessation period (detraining) on muscle strength and functional capacity in participants aged 90 and older.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized controlled trial performed during March to September 2009.
  
  
  METHODS
  Geriatric nursing home.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty nonagenarians (90-97) were randomly assigned to an intervention or control group (16 women and 4 men per group).
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight-week muscle strength exercise intervention focused on lower limb strength exercises of light to moderate intensity.
  
  
  METHODS
  
  
  
  METHODS
  1RM leg press.
  
  
  RESULTS
  handgrip strength, 8-m walk test, 4-step stairs test, Timed Up and Go test, and number of falls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant group by time interaction effect (P=.02) was observed only for the 1RM leg press. In the intervention group, 1RM leg press increased significantly with training by 10.6 kg [95% confidence interval (CI)=4.1-17.1 kg; P=.01]. Except for the mean group number of falls, which were 1.2 falls fewer per participant in the intervention group (95% CI=0.0-3.0; P=.03), no significant training effect on the secondary outcome measures was found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Exercise training, even of short duration and light to moderate intensity, can increase muscle strength while decreasing fall risk in nonagenarians.
authors: Geriatric Department, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain. jserra.hgugm@salud.madrid.org
authors: José A
authors: JA
authors: Serra-Rexach
authors: Natalia
authors: N
authors: Bustamante-Ara
authors: Margarita
authors: M
authors: Hierro Villarán
authors: Pedro
authors: P
authors: González Gil
authors: Maria J
authors: MJ
authors: Sanz Ibáñez
authors: Nekane
authors: N
authors: Blanco Sanz
authors: Victor
authors: V
authors: Ortega Santamaría
authors: Natalia
authors: N
authors: Gutiérrez Sanz
authors: Ana B
authors: AB
authors: Marín Prada
authors: Cristian
authors: C
authors: Gallardo
authors: Gabriel
authors: G
authors: Rodríguez Romo
authors: Jonatan R
authors: JR
authors: Ruiz
authors: Alejandro
authors: A
authors: Lucia
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D017079:Exercise Tolerance / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D052580:Muscle Stretching Exercises / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies