BACKGROUND: Being able to rise from a chair is an important daily life activity that requires sufficient lower extremity muscle power and postural control. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of an individually tailored intervention on the chair rise capacity of active and inactive community-dwelling older men and women. METHODS: This study included a community-based sample of > 75 year olds who were randomized into intervention (n = 299) and control (n = 260) groups. The intervention started in 2004 and ended in December 2006; all the participants of the intervention group received individually targeted physical activity counseling annually and had an opportunity to participate in supervised strength and balance training once a week. Chair rise tests were conducted annually. The mixed model of linear regression was used for unadjusted measurements and age, and the Mini-Mental State Examination and functional comorbidity index adjusted comparisons of effects of the intervention. RESULTS: The intervention improved the chair rise capacity in physically active women (adjusted mean difference -1.67 s, 95% confidence interval -3.21 to -0.13, p = 0.02). There was no improvement in inactive women or in men, regardless of their physical activity level. CONCLUSION: Intervention showed a positive effect on the chair rise capacity of physically active community-dwelling older women.

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