Abstract
Sarcopenia and frailty are age-related syndromes with negative effects on the quality of life of older people and on public health costs. Although extensive research has been carried out on the effects of physical exercise and physical syndromes, there is a knowledge gap when it comes to the effect of resistance training on muscular strength, physical performance, and body composition at early (prevention) and late (treatment) stages in both syndromes combined. We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis (CRD42019138253) to gather the evidence of randomized controlled trials examining the effects of resistance training programs lasting ≥8 weeks on strength, physical function, and body composition of adults ≥65 years old diagnosed with pre-sarcopenia, sarcopenia, pre-frailty, or frailty. A search from the earliest record up to and including December 2020 was carried out using the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases. A total of 25 studies (n = 2267 participants) were included. Meta-analysis showed significant changes in favour of resistance training for handgrip (ES = 0.51, p = 0.001) and lower-limb strength (ES = 0.93, p < 0.001), agility (ES = 0.78, p = 0.003), gait speed (ES = 0.75, p < 0.001), postural stability (ES = 0.68, p = 0.007), functional performance (ES = 0.76, p < 0.001), fat mass (ES = 0.41, p = 0.001), and muscle mass (ES = 0.29, p = 0.002). Resistance training during early stages had positive effects in all variables during early stages (ES > 0.12), being particularly effective in improving gait speed (ES = 0.63, p = 0.016) and functional strength (ES = 0.53, p = 0.011). Based on these results, resistance training should be considered as a highly effective preventive strategy to delay and attenuate the negative effects of sarcopenia and frailty in both early and late stages.
Highlights
Life expectancy is the highest to date, and world aging has increased at a staggering rate [1]
This research aimed to systematically review the scientific evidence examining the effect of resistance training on muscular strength, physical function, and body composition of older adults diagnosed with pre-sarcopenia, sarcopenia, pre-frailty, or frailty
The search strategy combined terms related to the population and intervention
Summary
Life expectancy is the highest to date, and world aging has increased at a staggering rate [1]. Despite the fact that people live longer than ever, human aging produces various syndromes that reduce their quality of life, contribute to their dependence, and increase public care costs [2]. Prominent among these syndromes are sarcopenia and frailty. Sarcopenia is generated by a severe loss of muscle mass as a consequence of diverse factors such as nutritional status, physical activity, genetic heritability, or hormonal changes [4] This fact, together with a decline in the tendon proprieties [5] and neural patterns [6], results in a loss of muscular strength and mobility (i.e., functional status). Exercise is important to maintain physical functioning and self-autonomy, reducing the risk of falls, acute hospital and care home admission [13,14]
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