Systematic evaluation of the effects of resistance training on the treatment and prevention of sarcopenia in the elderly / 中华老年医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To evaluate the effects of different types of resistance training on the treatment and prevention of sarcopenia in the elderly.Methods:A computer search was conducted in seven databases including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, CNKI, VIP, and Wanfang, to identify randomized controlled trials published from the inception of the databases to March 2023, for the assessment of the preventive effects of resistance training on sarcopenia in older adults.Two reviewers independently performed the literature search, selection, and quality assessment of the included studies.A Meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.3.Results:A total of 12 studies with 1018 participants were included.Compared with the control group, resistance training significantly improved the skeletal muscle mass index( MD=0.34, 95% CI 0.24~0.44, P<0.01), grip strength( MD=1.63, 95% CI 0.73~2.53, P<0.01), and 5 times sit-to-stand test performance( MD=-1.99, 95% CI -2.48--1.51, P<0.01).However, there was no significant improvement observed in muscle mass( MD=1.28, 95% CI -0.38-2.94, P>0.05), knee extensor strength( SMD=1.71, 95% CI -0.51-3.93, P>0.05), or gait speed( MD=0.03, 95% CI -0.03-0.08, P>0.05). Conclusions:Resistance training improves the skeletal muscle mass index, grip strength and the time taken to perform the 5 times sit-to-stand test in the elderly, thus delaying degenerative skeletal muscle changes in older adults with sarcopenia and offering a preventive effect on sarcopenia in healthy senior adults.