The intervention effects of resistance exercise on sarcopenia in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Level 1 - systematic review of randomized trials
Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
PubMed 42304276 · doi:10.1186/s12877-026-07808-w
What was done
Authors searched Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and CNKI from inception to May 2026 for randomized controlled trials evaluating resistance exercise interventions in older adults diagnosed with sarcopenia. Outcomes included muscle mass (appendicular skeletal muscle mass index, ASMI), muscle strength (handgrip strength), and physical performance (gait speed, five-times sit-to-stand test). Thirteen RCTs comprising 546 participants (282 exercise, 264 control) were included in the meta-analysis.
What was found
Resistance exercise produced statistically significant improvements across all evaluated outcomes (all P < 0.0001): - Handgrip strength: Mean Difference (MD) = 2.95 kg - Gait speed: MD = 0.15 m/s - ASMI: MD = 0.25 kg/m² - Five-times sit-to-stand test: MD = -1.79 s Subgroup analyses for gait speed found larger effect sizes but higher heterogeneity with interventions ≤12 weeks, age ≤75 years, and a training frequency of 3 sessions per week, whereas longer duration (>12 weeks), older age (>75 years), and other frequencies showed lower heterogeneity.
Why it matters
This review quantifies the functional and morphological benefits of resistance exercise specifically in older adults with established sarcopenia, supporting its role as a core therapeutic intervention.
Limits
The total sample size across 13 trials was small (546 participants, average ~42 per trial). Subgroup analyses indicated substantial heterogeneity in certain regimens, specific resistance exercise protocols (load, intensity, modalities) were not detailed in the abstract, and long-term adherence or adverse events were not reported.
Cited by
- supports Two to three sessions per week of resistance training is the only intervention that reverses sarcopenia.