JABFM
HOME HELP CONTACT US SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

This Article
Right arrow Rapid Responses: Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when Rapid Responses are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Brill, P. A.
Right arrow Articles by Macera, C. A.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Brill, P. A.
Right arrow Articles by Macera, C. A.

The Journal of the American Board of Family Practice, Vol 11, Issue 6 445-451, Copyright © 1998 by American Board of Family Practice

ARTICLES

Clinical feasibility of a free-weight strength-training program for older adults

P. A. Brill, J. C. Probst, D. L. Greenhouse, B. Schell and C. A. Macera
NGH/Marriott, Houston, TX, USA.

BACKGROUND: An emerging trend in the field of gerontology is the recognition that older adults, especially the frail elderly population, can increase their levels of strength and thus improve functional capability. Social acceptance of physical frailty and provision of care and assistance to dependent persons has now turned to helping the frail elderly adults maintain or improve functional independence. METHODS: The purpose of our study was to show the feasibility and effectiveness of a low-cost strength-training program using free weights for increasing strength and functional fitness among older adult volunteers. Participants aged 73 to 94 years were residents of a multilevel care retirement community in Columbia, SC. The strength-training program, led by an instructor, used dumbbells and ankle weights and was conducted in a multipurpose recreation room at the retirement facility. RESULTS: Functional performance measures (timed chair stand, 6-meter walk, stair climb, balance) handgrip strength, and self-assessment of activity level were outcome measures. All 25 participants completed the strength-training program. The average program adherence rate of all participants was 87 percent. No participant injuries or other adverse effects were observed. Functional performance measures improved significantly among program participants, with the greatest improvement in the timed chair stand (33.5 percent improvement) and the stair climb (17.6 percent improvement). CONCLUSION: Free-weight strength-training programs are appropriate for older adults, can be implemented in community settings, and are associated with significant improvement in functional performance.


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci.Home page
N. K. Latham, D. A. Bennett, C. M. Stretton, and C. S. Anderson
Systematic Review of Progressive Resistance Strength Training in Older Adults
J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., January 1, 2004; 59(1): M48 - 61.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Diabetes CareHome page
K. A. Willey and M. A. F. Singh
Battling Insulin Resistance in Elderly Obese People With Type 2 Diabetes: Bring on the heavy weights
Diabetes Care, May 1, 2003; 26(5): 1580 - 1588.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


HOME HELP CONTACT US SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copyright © 1998 by the American Board of Family Medicine.