Effect of strength and power training on physical function in community-dwelling older adults.

Background: The performance of daily tasks, such as stair climbing or lifting an object, requires both muscle strength and power. Age-associated reductions in strength and power can affect an older adult's ability to complete daily tasks such as stair climbing and lifting a child.

Methods: The purposes of this study were to determine whether power training was more efficacious than strength training for improving whole-body physical function in older adults and to examine the relationship between changes in anaerobic power and muscle strength and changes in physical function.