OBJECTIVE: To describe the effects of functional training compared with resistance training on activities of daily living (ADL) and muscle strength of community dwelling elderly individuals. METHODS: Systematic review. RESULTS: In total 365 relevant publications were retrieved, and the title and abstract of which were screened. The following inclusion criteria were applied: randomized controlled trial; community dwelling elderly people as subjects; comparison of functional exercise and resistance training; performance of ADL and muscle strength as outcomes. Of the studies retrieved, 354 were excluded. The full text of the other 11 studies was assessed, resulting in the exclusion of 6 studies. Of the 5 studies included the median PEDro score was 6 points (range 4 to 7 points). Four studies reported functional training to have a positive effect on ADL performance compared with resistance training, with one reporting a significant effect. One study reported functional training to significantly increase muscle strength. CONCLUSION: This review shows that up till now there is no convincing evidence that functional training improves ADL performance and muscle strength in community dwelling elderly individuals. However, functional training tended to have a positive effect compared with resistance training.

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