Abstract Background The primary aim of this study is to establish whether the sarcopenia status of community-dwelling older adults could be improved using Progressive Resistance Training (PRT) in a gym-based, physiotherapy-led intervention for 7 weeks. Methods This is a non-randomised study, all participants completed the intervention. 24 participants attended the programme, n = 2 lost to follow up. Participants attended twice weekly for 7 weeks; 2 assessment sessions and 12 exercise sessions. The assessment consisted of Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis, Timed Up and Go (TUAG), five time Sit-to-Stand (5 x STS), 10 metre walk test, grip strength and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). Each group had 5–7 participants complete 6 exercises in circuit; (1) weighted sit-to-stand, (2) modified deadlift, (3) farmer walks, (4) overhead press, (5) cable row, and (6) cable chest press. Results Data were analysed using SPSS. Pre-intervention 87.5% (n = 21) were identified as ‘probable sarcopenic’; post-intervention this decreased to 77.3% (n = 17). Sarcopenia status was not found to be significantly associated with the intervention by Chi-squared tests. No participants were classified as ‘confirmed sarcopenia’, as all were above the cut off scores for muscle mass. There was a statistically significant change in the SPPB and TUAG scores (p < 0.0041), with large effect sizes; Eta squared = 0.481 (SPPB), and 0.341 (TUAG). Improvements in 5xSTS and right grip strength had alpha values of less than p < 0.05, with large effect sizes, however they did not reach statistical significance. Conclusion The improvements in physical performance measures (SPPB & TUAG) are encouraging and may indicate that PRT can play a role in the long-term management of sarcopenia and promotion of independence in older adults. However, due to the lack of a control, it is difficult to ascribe the changes to the intervention itself. Further research with suitable controls and follow-up is needed to gain insights into which PRT interventions are the most effective in managing sarcopenia in older community dwellers.
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