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Updated: Apr 22, 2026

Improving Strength, Power, Muscle Aerobic Capacity, and Glucose Tolerance through Short-term Progressive Strength Training Among Elderly People
Published on: July 5, 2017
Strength training and light physical activity reduces the apnea-hypopnea index in institutionalized older adults
Jeffrey E Herrick1, Donald L Bliwise2, Shipra Puri1
1Department of Rehabilitation Science, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA.
Objectives:
To determine the effect of 7 weeks of resistance training and walking on the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) in institutionalized older adults compared with a usual care control group.
Design:
Secondary analysis of data from a randomized controlled trial.
Setting:
Ten nursing and 3 assisted living facilities in Arkansas.
Participants:
Institutionalized older adults.
Interventions:
Exercise group (EG) performed supervised resistance training to arm and hip extensors on 3 days a week with additional 2 days a week of light walking. Usual care group (UC) participated in the usual activities provided within their living facility.
Measurements:
Two nights of polysomnography before and following 7-week intervention.
Results:
Adjusted means in the EG group showed a decrease in AHI from 20.2 (SD ±1.3) at baseline to 16.7 (SD ±0.9) at 7 weeks. Absolute strength gains were not associated with improved AHI.
Conclusion:
Supervised resistance training and light walking reduced the severity of obstructive sleep apnea in institutionalized older adults.
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