Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41212331›Full record

SynthesisAging clinical and experimental research2025

Optimal resistance training prescriptions to improve muscle strength, physical function, and muscle mass in older adults diagnosed with sarcopenia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Ruixiang Yan, Yuhuan Chen, Runfa Zhang, Jiaxin He, Weilong Lin, Jian Sun, Duanying Li

Abstract readMeta-AnalysisSystematic Review
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Aging clinical and experimental research, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 11 papers, 5 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
11citing papers in PubMed, 5 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

11 citing papers in PubMed, 5 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Ruixiang Yan *School of Athletic Training, Guangzhou Sport University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Yuhuan Chen *School of Physical Education, Guangdong University of Business and Technology, Guangzhou, China.
Runfa Zhang *School of Athletic Training, Guangzhou Sport University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Jiaxin HeSchool of Athletic Training, Guangzhou Sport University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Weilong LinSchool of Athletic Training, Guangzhou Sport University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. 11081@gzsport.edu.cn.
Jian SunSchool of Athletic Training, Guangzhou Sport University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. sunjian@gzsport.edu.cn.
Duanying LiSchool of Athletic Training, Guangzhou Sport University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. liduany@gzsport.cn.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND

objectivesResistance training is widely recommended for managing sarcopenia, but evidence on optimal prescriptions remains limited. This study aimed to assess the effects of different resistance training prescriptions on strength, function, and muscle mass in older adults with sarcopenia.

methodsWe searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and CENTRAL to June 2025. Eligible studies were RCTs in adults aged ≥ 60 with sarcopenia, comparing resistance training with usual care or no intervention, and reporting outcomes on strength, physical function, or muscle mass. Risk of bias was assessed using RoB 2. Meta-analyses were conducted using the meta package in R, and Bayesian dose-response models were fitted using the brms package.

resultsTwenty-four randomized controlled trials involving 951 participants were included. Random-effects model showed that resistance training significantly improved handgrip strength, gait speed, knee extension strength, timed up and go test (TUG) and and five-times sit-to-stand test (5STS) performance. However, no significant improvements were observed in the short physical performance battery (SPPB), appendicular skeletal muscle mass index and appendicular skeletal muscle mass. Subgroup analyses revealed significant differences across resistance type, frequency, and setting, although meta-regression identified no significant sources of heterogeneity. A nonlinear Bayesian random-effects model suggested an optimal dose of 1220 MET-min/week for improving handgrip strength, while a minimal effective dose of 600 MET-min/week may suffice to achieve clinically meaningful improvements in gait speed.

conclusionResistance training probably improves muscle strength and physical function in older adults with sarcopenia. However, improvements in grip strength, gait speed, TUG, 5STS, and SPPB did not exceed their MID thresholds, indicating little to no clinical benefit. Resistance type and training frequency were key effect modifiers. Individualized resistance programs within the optimal dose range, emphasizing higher frequency and appropriate resistance types, may help optimize outcomes.

Indexed as

Muscle, SkeletalMuscle StrengthResistance TrainingSarcopeniaAgedAged, 80 and overBayes TheoremHand StrengthHumansMiddle AgedPhysical Functional PerformanceRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicDose–responseOlder adultsResistance trainingSarcopenia

Identifiers

PMID41212331
PMCPMC12602684

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.