Exercise Interventions for the Prevention and Treatment of Sarcopenia. A Systematic Umbrella Review.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the efficacy of resistance training and other exercise interventions in countering sarcopenia in older adults to inform clinical guidelines.
Results Summary
The study found high-quality evidence supporting resistance training's positive effects on muscle mass, strength, and physical performance in older adults. High-intensity resistance training (80% 1RM) was recommended for maximal strength gains, though low-intensity training also showed benefits.
Population
Older adults, particularly those with or at risk of sarcopenia.
Effective Dosage
High-intensity resistance training (80% 1RM) recommended; low-intensity (≤50% 1RM) also effective.
Duration
Not specified in the abstract.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
resistance training | increase | muscle mass | older adults | - | positive and significant effect | #1 |
resistance training | increase | muscle strength | older adults | - | positive and significant effect | #2 |
resistance training | increase | physical performance | older adults | - | positive and significant effect | #3 |
nutritional supplementation for resistance training | no change | muscle function | older adults | - | added effect appears limited | #4 |
blood flow restriction training | increase | muscle strength | older adults | - | significant impact | #5 |
low-intensity resistance training (≤50% 1RM) | increase | strength | older adults | - | sufficient to induce strength gains | #6 |
high-intensity resistance training program (i.e. 80% 1RM) | increase | strength gains | older adults | - | to obtain maximal strength gains | #7 |
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this systematic review is to provide an overview of the efficacy of different exercise interventions to counter sarcopenia in older adults. This review will allow the Belgian Society of Gerontology and Geriatrics and other scientific societies to formulate specific exercise recommendations in their Clinical Guidelines for Sarcopenia. DESIGN: We used the method of a systematic umbrella-review. Based on the level of evidence, we formulated specific recommendations for clinical practice. METHODS: Two databases (Pubmed and Web Of Science) were searched systematically and methodological quality of the reviews was assessed. Extracted data was than mapped to an exercise category and an overall synthesis (bottom line statements) was formulated for each of these exercise categories. Subsequently, we assigned a rating of the quality of the evidence supporting each bottom line statement. RESULTS: We identified 14 systematic reviews or meta-analyses, encompassing four exercise categories: resistance training, resistance training + nutritional supplementation, multimodal exercise programmes and bloodflow restriction training. Importantly, very few systematic reviews or meta-analyses clearly mentioned baseline sarcopenia status. There is high quality evidence for a positive and significant effect of resistance training on muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance. The added effect of nutritional supplementation for resistance training on muscle function appears limited. Blood flow restriction training is a novel training method that has a significant impact on muscle strength. CONCLUSION: Since sarcopenia is affecting all skeletal muscles in the body, we recommend training the large muscle groups in a total body approach. Although low-intensity resistance training (≤50% 1RM) is sufficient to induce strength gains, we recommend a high-intensity resistance training program (i.e. 80% 1RM) to obtain maximal strength gains. Multimodal exercises and blood flow restriction resistance training may be considered as well.