Data and facts

What did the study look at?

The study, the most comprehensive scientific investigation to date into strength training for health, looked primarily at how preventive and medical strength training affects back and general health.

Who participated in the study?

The study involved 531 participants between the ages of 18 and 87 with an average age of 43. Participants were chosen from a total of 49, 000 applicants using a process of random selection. The only stipulation was that they could not be existing or previous customers of Kieser Training. Participants were first given a medical check and then divided into three groups depending upon the results of the medical: one group did normal strength training (317 participants), one group medical strengthening therapy (109 participants) and the third group (105 participants) were the control group and did not train.

How was the study organised?

Participants were distributed evenly between 118 Kieser Training facilities in Germany. Each participant was given a personal training or therapy programme and trained under normal training conditions for 6 months. Participants did one or two sessions per week, each of 30 minutes. In order to evaluate progress, we surveyed participants regularly and carried out medical checks. Other than that, participants trained in exactly the same way as normal Kieser Training customers.

When was the study done?

The study phase started in April 2009 and ended in November 2009.

Who was responsible for the study?

The Research Department of Kieser Training under the direction of Dr. Sven Goebel was responsible for the study and its evaluation. The design and results of the study were submitted to an independent scientific advisory board for evaluation.