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Progressive Resistance Strength Training Benefits Older PeopleProgressive resistance strength training not only helps older adults become stronger, it also makes everyday activities easier, a new stiudy suggests. Muscle strength decreases naturally as people age, and this can impact daily activities. Progressive resistance strength training uses free weights, exercise machines or elastic bands to strength muscles. The key is adjusting the resistance according to a persons's progress. "Older adults seem to benefit from this type of exercise even at the age of 80, and even with some type of health condition. The data support the idea that muscle strength is largely improved after the training, and the impact on older adults' daily activities can be significant. Simply having enough strength to do things such as carrying groceries would make a difference for seniors" The 121 trials reviewed in the study involved 6,700 people over the age of 60, who trained two to three times a week. Training produced a large improvement in muscle strength, a moderate to large improvement in doing simple activities such as getting up from a chair or climbing stairs and a small but statistically significant improvement in doing complex daily activities, such as bathing or preparing a meal. |