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tion should be taken before any generalizations are made,
and sample homogeneity restricts generalization to Cauca-
sian, physically active, highly motivated populations. Also,
it is not possible to blind subjects to exercise interventions,
leaving them vulnerable to a variety of tester and subject ef-
fects that may affect test results.
11. Kraemer WJ, Fry AC. Strength testing: development and evaluation
methodology. In: Maud PJ, Foster C, eds. Physiological Assessment of
Human Fitness. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics; 1995:115–138.
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endurance training on gait, balance, fall risk, and health service use in
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Conclusions
The present study has confirmed other work that suggests
that older adults can undertake intense strength training
without undo risk of injury and that intense strength training
does increase strength in this population. However, it failed
to clarify the relationship between strength gain and fall risk.
Intense strength training appears to increase maximal walk-
ing speed but may not improve sit-to-stand ability or stand-
ing balance in active, community–dwelling older adults.
Additional research into the unique effect of strength train-
ing on functional tasks related to the risk of falling needs to
be completed.
One of the more notable, albeit anecdotal, findings of this
study was the positive psychosocial boost that seemed to af-
fect training subjects. Although this study design did not
address psychological issues, almost every subject in the
training group expressed profound appreciation for the ben-
eficial nature of the exercise. Future research should con-
sider combining quantitative and qualitative methods that
not only examine the physiological changes that occur with
strength training but also address the apparently positive
(both in size and quality) psychological effects that strength
training may provide. Much of this benefit may be attrib-
uted to interaction effects, but there appears to be a unique
contribution that strength gain provides; many of the com-
ments made by subjects were directly related to the aug-
mented physical ability that resulted from improved strength.
22. Pollock ML, Gaesser GA, Butcher JD, et al. The recommended quantity
and quality of exercise for developing and maintaining cardiorespiratory
and muscular fitness, and flexibility in healthy adults. Med Sci Sports
Exerc. 1998;30:975–991.
Acknowledgment
23. Sipila S, Multanen J, Kallinen M, Era P, Suominen H. Effects of
strength and endurance training on isometric muscle strength and walk-
ing speed in elderly women. Acta Physiol Scand. 1996;156:457–464.
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Evans WJ. Effects of high-intensity strength training on multiple risk
factors for osteoporotic fractures. JAMA. 1994;272:1909–1914.
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exercises on isokinetic strength in older persons. J Am Geriatr Soc.
1994;42:937–946.
26. Bohannon RW, Larkin PA, Cook AC, Gear J, Singer J. Decrease in
timed balance test scores with aging. Phys Ther. 1984;64:1067–1070.
27. Vellas BJ, Rubenstein LZ, Ousset PJ, et al. One-leg standing balance
and functional status in a population of 512 community-living elderly
persons. Aging (Milano). 1997;9:95–98.
Address correspondence to Jeff Schlicht, PhD, Department of Physical
Education, Western Connecticut State University, 181 White Street, Dan-
bury, CT 06810. E-mail: schlichtj@wcsu.edu
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Received September 1, 1999
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Accepted May 8, 2000
Decision Editor: John E. Morley, MB, BCh