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Cited by 23Nutrition and Health in AgingFrailty in Older AdultsMuscle metabolism and nutrition

Optimal resistance training prescriptions to improve muscle strength, physical function, and muscle mass in older adults diagnosed with sarcopenia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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Yan, Ruixiang, Chen, Yuhuan, Zhang, Runfa, He, Jiaxin, Lin, Weilong, Sun, Jian, Li, Duanying·2025·Aging Clinical and Experimental Research
DOI 10.1007/s40520-025-03235-wPMC PMC12602684
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Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Resistance training is widely recommended for managing sarcopenia, but evidence on optimal prescriptions remains limited. This study aimed to assess the effects of different resistance training prescriptions on strength, function, and muscle mass in older adults with sarcopenia. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and CENTRAL to June 2025. Eligible studies were RCTs in adults aged ≥ 60 with sarcopenia, comparing resistance training with usual care or no intervention, and reporting outcomes on strength, physical function, or muscle mass. Risk of bias was assessed using RoB 2. Meta-analyses were conducted using the meta package in R, and Bayesian dose-response models were fitted using the brms package. RESULTS: Twenty-four randomized controlled trials involving 951 participants were included. Random-effects model showed that resistance training significantly improved handgrip strength, gait speed, knee extension strength, timed up and go test (TUG) and and five-times sit-to-stand test (5STS) performance. However, no significant improvements were observed in the short physical performance battery (SPPB), appendicular skeletal muscle mass index and appendicular skeletal muscle mass. Subgroup analyses revealed significant differences across resistance type, frequency, and setting, although meta-regression identified no significant sources of heterogeneity. A nonlinear Bayesian random-effects model suggested an optimal dose of 1220 MET-min/week for improving handgrip strength, while a minimal effective dose of 600 MET-min/week may suffice to achieve clinically meaningful improvements in gait speed. CONCLUSION: Resistance training probably improves muscle strength and physical function in older adults with sarcopenia. However, improvements in grip strength, gait speed, TUG, 5STS, and SPPB did not exceed their MID thresholds, indicating little to no clinical benefit. Resistance type and training frequency were key effect modifiers. Individualized resistance programs within the optimal dose range, emphasizing higher frequency and appropriate resistance types, may help optimize outcomes.

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  • Resistance exercise is crucial in preventing muscle atrophy that often accompanies weight loss, especially when combined with GLP-1 receptor agonists.

    “Additionally, this form of exercise is crucial in preventing the muscle atrophy that often accompanies weight loss, especially when combined with GLP-1 RAs, which facilitate fat reduction but may also result in lean mass loss [64].”

    From A Narrative Review on GLP-1 Receptor Agonists for Obesity in Older Women: Maximizing Weight Loss While Preserving Lean Mass (2026) · cites this paper as [64]

    The Introduction says resistance training can improve muscle strength and mass in older adults, but the Discussion says this review found limited effects on muscle mass in older adults with sarcopenia. Neither section addresses preventing muscle loss during weight loss or exercise combined with GLP-1 receptor agonists. (LLM, conf=0.84)

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Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. [61]Labott BK, Bucht H, Morat M, Morat T, Donath L Effects of exercise training on handgrip strength in older adults: A meta-analytical review 31499496

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Authors
Yan, R., Chen, Y., Zhang, R., He, J., Lin, W., Sun, J., & Li, D.
Affiliations
Guangzhou Sport University (CN)
Corresponding author
  • Lin, Weilong
  • Sun, Jian
  • Li, Duanying
ORCID
Venue
Aging Clinical and Experimental Research
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2025-11-10
Volume
37
Issue
1
Pages
320-320
ISSN
  • 1594-0667 (ISSN-L)
  • 1720-8319
DOI
10.1007/s40520-025-03235-w
PMC
PMC12602684
OpenAlex
W4416067870
Cited by
22
References
61
Citations by year
2026: 21 · 2025: 1
FWCI
2.88
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Aging Clinical and Experimental Research (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Nutrition and Health in Aging
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Geriatrics and Gerontology › Frailty in Older Adults
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Muscle metabolism and nutrition
Keywords
resistance training, sarcopenia, older adults, muscle strength, physical function, muscle mass, grip strength, walking speed, exercise frequency, minimal clinically important difference, exercise prescription
MeSH terms
Physical Functional Performance, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Bayes Theorem, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic, Muscle, Skeletal, Hand Strength, Muscle Strength, Resistance Training, Sarcopenia

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