Background: The paper presents documentation of the effect of physical training for nursing home residents.
Material and methods: Literature study based on review articles and exercise trials in nursing home populations.
Results and interpretation: The relatively few studies available indicate that physical training in a nursing home setting could be carried out. One study, reporting the effect of a fourfold increase in physiotherapy and occupational therapy, found positive effects on physical functioning and nursing costs. Furthermore, training is reported to improve aspects of physical functioning, like muscle strength and mobility. Several studies report effect on incontinence of low-dose physical exercises combined with scheduled toilet training. No study reports effect of physical training alone on the incidence of falls among nursing home residents. Nevertheless, physical training seems to improve physical fitness and functioning, cognition and behaviour. It is suggested that physical training for nursing home residents is carried out routinely in order to maintain physical functioning. Important aspects of such training are muscle strength, balance, coordination, endurance and flexibility. However, the most crucial type of training is active participation in the activities of daily life in order to prevent loss of independence.