Little is known about the effects of resistance training on health related quality of life (HRQL) in the elderly.
The main purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of resistance training on strength, body composition, functional capacity and HRQL in independent living elderly people. We hypothesised that resistance training would improve lean mass, muscle strength, physical function and HRQL.
Subjects (N = 237, 73.7±5.7 yrs, 58.2% female) participated in a 12-week resistance exercise program (3 times/week; 3 sets, 6-8 repetitions at 75-80% of the 1-repetition maximum) designed to increase strength and muscle mass of major muscle groups. Body composition, quadriceps- and grip strength, timed up and go test (TUG), six minute walk for distance (6MW) and HRQL were measured at baseline and endpoint.
Two hundred-and-four participants completed the study. Although the increase in lean mass was small (+0.8 kg, P