A home-based resistance-training program
using elastic bands for elderly patients
with orthostatic hypotension Exercise and Functional Tasks Among Adults Who Are Functionally Limited Effects of resistance training on strength, power, and selected functional abilities of women aged 75 and older. Comparative Effects of Home- and Group-Based Exercise on Balance Confidence and Balance Ability in Older Adults: Cluster Randomized Trial Increases in muscle strength and balance using a resistance training program administered via a telecommunications system in older adults. Exercise--it's never too late: the strong-for-life program. Efficacy of a home-based training program for older adults using elastic tubing The effect of single set resistance training on strength and functional fitness in pulmonary rehabilitation patients. Combined aerobic and resistance exercise program improves task performance in patients with heart failure. Effects of combined physical and cognitive training on fitness and neuropsychological outcomes in healthy older adults Effectiveness of exercise interventions on physical function in community-dwelling frail older people: an umbrella review of systematic reviews A Combined Aerobic and Resistance Exercise Program Improves Physical Functional Performance in Patients With Heart Failure: A Pilot Study Effects of home-based resistance training and neuromuscular electrical stimulation in knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial Comparison of effect of aerobic cycle training and progressive resistance training on walking ability after stroke: a randomized sham exercise-controlled study. The effect of resistance training on muscle strength and physical function in older, postmenopausal breast cancer survivors: a randomized controlled trial Can elderly patients who have had a hip fracture perform moderate- to high-intensity exercise at home?
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 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 OBJECTIVE To determine the effects of 12 weeks of progressive resistance strength training on the isometric strength , explosive power , and selected functional abilities of healthy women aged 75 and over . DESIGN Subjects were matched for age and habitual physical activity and then r and omly assigned into either a control or an exercise group . SETTING The Muscle Function Laboratory , Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine , London . PARTICIPANTS Fifty-two healthy women were recruited through local and national newspapers . Five dropped out before and seven ( 4 exercisers and 3 controls ) during the study . Pre- and posttraining measurements were obtained from 20 exercisers ( median age 79.5 , range 76 to 93 years ) and 20 controls ( median age 79.5 , range 75 to 90 years ) . INTERVENTIONS Training comprised one supervised session ( 1 hour ) at the Medical School and two unsupervised home sessions ( supported by an exercise tape and booklet ) per week for 12 weeks . The training stimulus was three sets of four to eight repetitions of each exercise , using rice bags ( 1 - 1.5 kg ) or elastic tubing for resistance . The exercises were intended specifically to strengthen the muscles considered relevant for the functional tasks , but were not to mimic the functional measurements . No intervention was prescribed for the controls . MEASUREMENTS Pre- and posttraining measurements were made for isometric knee extensor strength ( IKES ) , isometric elbow flexor strength ( IEFS ) , h and grip strength ( HGS ) , leg extensor power ( LEP ) , and anthropometric indices ( Body impedance analysis , arm muscle circumference , and body weight ) . Functional ability tests were chair rise , kneel rise , rise from lying on the floor , 118-m self-paced corridor walk , stair climbing , functional reach , stepping up , stepping down , and lifting weights onto a shelf . Pre- and posttraining comparisons were made using analysis of variance or analysis of covariance ( using weight as a covariate ) for normally distributed continuous data and one-sided Fishers exact test ( 2 x 2 table ) for discontinuous data . RESULTS Improvements in IKES ( mean change 27 % , P = .03 ) , IEFS ( 22 % , P = .05 ) , HGS ( 4 % , P = .05 ) , LEP/kg ( 18 % , P = .05 ) were associated with training , but the improvement in LEP ( 18 % , P = .11 ) did not reach statistical significance . There was an association between training and a reduction in normal pace kneel rise time ( median change 21 % , P = .02 ) and a small improvement in step up height ( median 5 % , P = .005 ) . The other functional tests did not improve . CONCLUSIONS Progressive resistance exercise can produce substantial increases in muscle strength and in power st and ardized for body weight in healthy , very old women . However , isolated increases in strength and LEP/kg may confer only limited functional benefit in healthy , independent , very old women Background : Exercise can modify fall risk factors such as balance and mobility impairments . However , can exercise improve balance confidence ? In one strength-training study , research ers reported that a change in balance confidence was not uniformly associated with changes in objective measures of fall risk or physical performance . In fact , some participants ’ balance confidence decreased while their physical abilities increased and vice versa . Objective : The aim of this study was to compare changes in balance confidence and balance ability result ing from three exercise interventions ( home-based resistance and balance training ( RBT ) , group-based RBT and group-based walking ) , and the concomitant relationships between change in balance confidence and change in ability . It was hypothesized that participants in the group-based RBT program would improve their balance confidence and performance more than those in the home-based or walking programs . Methods : In a cluster-r and omized design , nine retirement villages were assigned to one of the three exercise groups . One hundred and sixty-seven independent-living residents ( aged 65–96 years ) participated . Each group exercised twice weekly for 20 weeks . Objective balance ability was measured using timed t and em and one-leg st and s ( static balance ) , and the 8-foot ( 2.5 m ) up- and -go test ( dynamic balance/agility ) . Balance confidence was assessed using the self-report Activities-specific Balance Confidence ( ABC ) Scale . Results : Participants in the group-based RBT program improved their static balance scores more than those in the home-based program ; however , improvements in balance confidence were greater among participants in the home-based program ( all p < 0.05 ) . Discordance between static balance and balance confidence change scores was evident for up to 20 % of participants . Change in ABC score was weakly correlated with a change in the up- and -go test score . Conclusions : Exercise training can improve balance confidence and balance ability in retirement village residents . However , as has been shown previously , this study found that exercise interventions may improve balance ability without associated increases in balance confidence and vice versa . Whether the ABC score and balance ability can be enhanced by providing a tailored intervention to improve balance confidence in combination with a RBT program requires further study BACKGROUND Resistance training programs have been found to improve muscle strength , physical function , and depressive symptoms in middle-aged and older adults . These programs have typically been provided in clinical facilities , health clubs , and senior centers , which may be inconvenient and /or cost prohibitive for some older adults . The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of an automated telemedicine intervention that provides real-time guidance and monitoring of resistance training in the home . METHODS A r and omized clinical trial in 103 middle-aged or older participants . Participants were assigned to use of a theory-driven interactive voice response system design ed to promote resistance training ( Telephone-Linked Computer-based Long-term Interactive Fitness Trainer ; n = 52 ) or to an attention control ( n = 51 ) for a period of 12 months . Measurements of muscle strength , balance , walk distance , and mood were obtained at baseline , 3 , 6 , and 12 months . RESULTS We observed increased strength , improved balance , and fewer depressive symptoms in the intervention group than in the control group . Using generalized estimating equations modeling , group differences were statistically significant for knee flexion strength ( p = .035 ) , single-leg stance time ( p = .029 ) , and Beck Depression Inventory ( p = .030 ) . CONCLUSIONS This computer-based telecommunications exercise intervention led to improvements in participants ' strength , balance , and depressive symptoms . Because of their low cost and easy accessibility , computer-based interventions may be a cost-effective way of promoting exercise in the home 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 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 PURPOSE The primary goal of pulmonary rehabilitation ( PR ) is for patients to achieve and maintain their maximum level of independence and functioning in the community . Traditional PR uses a predominantly aerobic/endurance approach to rehabilitation with little or no inclusion of exercises to increase strength . Few studies have investigated the impact of resistance training on PR despite growing evidence supporting its efficacy to improve physical function ( functional fitness ) in both healthy individuals and those with chronic disease . The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of single-set resistance training on strength and functional fitness outcomes in PR patients . METHODS Twenty PR patients , 60 to 81 years old , were r and omly assigned to an 8-week endurance-based PR program ( ET ) or an ET plus resistance training program ( RT ) . RESULTS Strength increased in RT ( P < .05 ) and decreased in  ET for both upper and lower body . Functional fitness improved ( P < .05 ) in 5 of 7 tests for RT compared with 2 tests for ET . CONCLUSIONS Single set RT can elicit significant improvements in both strength and functional fitness , which is not obtained by traditional PR alone . Our results are comparable to other studies with similar outcomes using multiple-set RT protocol s. These findings may have important implication s for program design , application , and adherence in PR OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of a home-based aerobic and resistance training program on the physical function of adults with New York Heart Association ( NYHA ) class II and III patients and systolic heart failure ( HF ) . DESIGN R and omized controlled trial . SETTING Home based . PARTICIPANTS Stable patients ( N=24 ; mean age , 60 ± 10 y ; left ventricular ejection fraction , 25 % ± 9 % ; 50 % white ; 50 % women ) with New York Heart Association ( NYHA ) classes II and III ( NYHA class III , 58 % ) systolic heart failure ( HF ) . INTERVENTION A 12-week progressive home-based program of moderate-intensity aerobic and resistance exercise . Attention control wait list participants performed light stretching and flexibility exercises . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES A 10-item performance-based physical function measure , the Continuous Scale Physical Functional Performance test ( CS-PFP10 ) , was the major outcome variable and included specific physical activities measured in time to complete a task , weight carried during a task , and distance walked . Other measures included muscle strength , HRQOL ( Minnesota Living With Heart Failure Question naire , Epworth Sleepiness Scale ) , functional capacity ( Duke Activity Status Index ) , and disease severity ( brain natriuretic peptide ) levels . RESULTS After the exercise intervention , 9 of 10 specific task activities were performed more rapidly , with increased weight carried by exercise participants compared with the attention control wait list group . Exercise participants also showed significant improvements in CS-PFP10 total score ( P<.025 ) , upper and lower muscle strength , and HRQOL ( P<.001 ) compared with the attention control wait list group . Adherence rates were 83 % and 99 % for the aerobic and resistance training , respectively . CONCLUSIONS Patients with stable HF who participate in a moderate-intensity combined aerobic and resistance exercise program may improve performance of routine physical activities of daily living by using a home-based exercise approach . Performance-based measures such as the CS-PFP10 may provide additional insights into physical function in patients with HF that more commonly used exercise tests may not identify . Early detection of subtle changes that may signal declining physical function that are amenable to intervention potentially may slow further loss of function in this patient population Purpose Physical exercise and cognitive training have been shown to enhance cognition among older adults . However , few studies have looked at the potential synergetic effects of combining physical and cognitive training in a single study . Prior trials on combined training have led to interesting yet equivocal results . The aim of this study was to examine the effects of combined physical and cognitive interventions on physical fitness and neuropsychological performance in healthy older adults . Methods Seventy-six participants were r and omly assigned to one of four training combinations using a 2 × 2 factorial design . The physical intervention was a mixed aerobic and resistance training program , and the cognitive intervention was a dual-task ( DT ) training program . Stretching and toning exercises and computer lessons were used as active control conditions  . Physical and cognitive measures were collected pre- and postintervention . Results All groups showed equivalent improvements in measures of functional mobility . The aerobic – strength condition led to larger effect size in lower body strength , independently of cognitive training . All groups showed improved speed of processing and inhibition abilities , but only participants who took part in the DT training , independently of physical training , showed increased task-switching abilities . The level of functional mobility after intervention was significantly associated with task-switching abilities . Conclusion Combined training did not yield synergetic effects . However , DT training did lead to transfer effects on executive performance in neuropsychological tests . Both aerobic-resistance training and stretching-toning exercises can improve functional mobility in older adults Objectives : This umbrella review aim ed to determine the effectiveness of exercise interventions , alone or in combination with other interventions , in improving physical function in community-dwelling older people identified as pre-frail or frail . Introduction : Exercise is said to have a positive impact on muscle mass and strength which improves physical function and hence is beneficial for the treatment of frailty . Several systematic review s discuss the effects of exercise interventions on physical function parameters , such as strength , mobility , gait , balance and physical performance , and indicate that multi-component exercise , including resistance , aerobic , balance and flexibility training , appears to be the best way in which to improve physical function parameters in frail older people . However , there is still uncertainty as to which exercise characteristics ( type , frequency , intensity , duration and combinations ) are the most effective and sustainable over the long-term . Inclusion criteria : Participants were adults , 60 years or over , living in the community and identified as pre-frail or frail . Quantitative systematic review s , with or without meta- analysis that examined the effectiveness of exercise interventions of any form , duration , frequency and intensity , alone or in combination with other interventions design ed to alter physical function parameters in frail older people , were considered . The quantitative outcome measures were physical function , including muscular strength , gait , balance , mobility and physical performance . Methods : An iterative search strategy for ten bibliometric data bases and gray literature was developed . Critical appraisal of seven systematic review s was conducted independently by two review ers using a st and ard Joanna Briggs Institute tool . Data was extracted independently by two review ers using a st and ard Joanna Briggs Institute data extraction tool and summarized using a narrative synthesis approach . Results : Seven systematic review s were included in this umbrella review , with a total of 58 relevant r and omized controlled trials and 6927 participants . Five systematic review s examined the effects of exercise only , while two systematic review s reported on exercise in combination with a nutritional approach , including protein supplementations , as well as fruit and dairy products . The average  exercise frequency was 2–3 times per week ( mean 3.0 ± 1.5 times per week ; range 1–7 weekly ) for 10–90 minutes per session ( mean of 52.0 ± 16.5 mins ) and a total duration of 5–72 weeks with the majority lasting a minimum of 2.5 months ( mean 22.7 ± 17.7 weeks ) . Multi-component exercise interventions can currently be recommended for pre-frail and frail older adults to improve muscular strength , gait speed , balance and physical performance , including resistance , aerobic , balance and flexibility tasks . Resistance training alone also appeared to be beneficial , in particular for improving muscular strength , gait speed and physical performance . Other types of exercise were not sufficiently studied and their effectiveness is yet to be established . Conclusions : Interventions for pre-frail and frail older adults should include multi-component exercises , including in particular resistance training , as well as aerobic , balance and flexibility tasks . Future research should adopt a consistent definition of frailty and investigate the effects of other types of exercise alone or in combination with nutritional interventions so that more specific recommendations can be made 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 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 OBJECTIVES To determine whether changes in strength or cardiorespiratory fitness after exercise training improve walking ability in individuals who have had a stroke . DESIGN A sham exercise-controlled , r and omized two-by-two factorial design , in which the two factors investigated were cycle training ( AEROBIC ) and resistance training ( STRENGTH ) . SETTING University exercise laboratory . PARTICIPANTS Fifty-two individuals with a history of stroke ( aged 63+/-9 ; time since stroke , 57+/-54 months ) . INTERVENTION Participants undertook 30 exercise sessions over 10 to 12 weeks . Depending on group allocation , individuals underwent aerobic cycling plus sham progressive resistance training ( PRT ) ( n=13 ) , sham cycling plus PRT ( n=13 ) , aerobic cycling plus PRT ( n=14 ) , or sham cycling plus sham PRT ( n=12 ) . MEASUREMENTS Primary outcomes were 6-minute walk distance , habitual and fast gait velocities , and stair climbing power . Secondary outcomes included measures of cardiorespiratory fitness ; muscle strength , power , and endurance ; and psychosocial attributes . RESULTS Neither AEROBIC nor STRENGTH improved walking distance or gait velocity significantly more than sham exercise , although STRENGTH significantly improved participants ' stair climbing power by 17 % ( P=.009 ) , as well as their muscle strength , power , and endurance ; cycling peak power output ; and self-efficacy . Conversely , AEROBIC improved indicators of cardiorespiratory fitness only . Cycling plus PRT produced larger effects than either single modality for mobility and impairment outcomes . CONCLUSION Single-modality exercises targeted at existing impairments do not optimally address the functional deficits of walking but do ameliorate the underlying impairments . The underlying cardiovascular and musculoskeletal impairments are significantly modifiable years after stroke with targeted robust exercise Introduction Older breast cancer survivors ( BCS ) report more falls and functional limitations than women with no cancer history .  Exercise training could reduce risk factors for future falls and disability . Methods We conducted a r and omized , controlled trial in 106 early-stage , postmenopausal BCS who were ≥50 years old at diagnosis and post-treatment . Women were r and omly assigned to a 1-year resistance + impact exercise program or a stretching placebo program . Endpoints were one repetition maximum bench press and leg press strength , timed five chair st and s , 4 m usual walk speed , timed stance tests , h and grip strength , self-report physical function , and fatigue . We also examined the influence of age , adjuvant hormone therapy use , and exercise adherence on study outcomes . Results Women in the resistance + impact training program significantly improved maximal leg ( p < 0 .02 ) and bench ( p < 0 .02 ) press strength compared to the stretching group . Women who attended 50 % or more of prescribed resistance training sessions had significantly better changes in maximal strength measures compared to less adherent women . Conclusions Resistance + impact exercise is superior to stretching at improving maximal muscle strength and exercise adherence contributes to the degree of improvement . Implication s for cancer survivorsOlder BCS can safely engage in resistance exercise that improves lower and upper body strength , thereby reducing a risk factor for falls and future disability . However , the ability of resistance training to shift other indices of fall and disability risk , i.e. , balance and function , is unclear . Strategies to promote adherence to resistance training could lead to greater improvements in strength BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The majority of patients after a hip fracture do not return to prefracture functional status . Depression has been shown to affect recovery . Although exercise can reduce impairments , access issues limit elderly people from participating in facility-based programs . The primary purpose of this study was to determine the effects and feasibility of a home exercise program of moderate- or high-intensity exercise . A secondary purpose was to explore the relationship of depression and physical recovery . SUBJECTS Thirty-three elderly people ( 24 women , 9 men ; mean = 78.6 years of age , SD = 6.8 , range = 64 - 89 ) who had completed a regimen of physical therapy following hip fracture participated in the study . Subjects were r and omly assigned to a resistance training group , an aerobic training group , or a control group . METHODS Subjects were tested before and upon completion of the exercise trial . Isometric lower-extremity force , 6-minute-walk distance , free gait speed , mental status , and physical function were measured . Each exercise session was supervised by a physical therapist , and subjects received 20 visits over 12 weeks . The control group received biweekly mailings . The resistance training group performed 3 sets of 8 repetitions at the 8-repetition maximum intensity using a portable progressive resistance exercise machine . The aerobic training group performed activities that increased heart rate 65 % to 75 % of their age-predicted maximum for 20 continuous minutes . RESULTS Resistance and aerobic training were performed without apparent adverse effects , and adherence was 98 % . All groups improved in distance walked , force produced , gait speed , and physical function . Isometric force improved to a greater extent in the intervention groups than in the control group . Depressive symptoms interacted with treatment group in explaining the outcomes of 6-minute-walk distance and gait speed . DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION High-intensity exercise performed in the home is feasible for people with hip fracture . Larger sample sizes may be necessary to determine whether the exercise regimen is effective in reducing impairments and improving function . Depression may play a role in the level of improvement attained
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 .