Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41750266›Full record

SynthesisBiomolecules2026

Synergistic Effects of Protein Intake and Exercise on Biomarkers of Sarcopenia: A Systematic Review.

Stephanie Cruz-Pierard, Samuel Iñiguez-Jiménez

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Biomolecules, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–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

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Review
  3. Review
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

2 authors.

Stephanie Cruz-PierardCarrera de Enfermería, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud y Bienestar Humano, Universidad Tecnológica Indoamérica, Quito 170103, Ecuador.ORCID 0000-0003-4100-5898
Samuel Iñiguez-JiménezFacultad de Salud y Bienestar, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito 170525, Ecuador.ORCID 0000-0002-4722-7611

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Sarcopenia, defined as the progressive decline of muscle mass, strength, and function, severely compromises autonomy and quality of life in older adults. This systematic review evaluated synergistic effects of protein supplementation combined with resistance exercise on biochemical and functional biomarkers of sarcopenia. The search for scientific evidence was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Cochrane databases (2019-2025), applying explicit inclusion and exclusion criteria, like only randomized controlled trials in humans, published in English, Spanish, or French, were included to ensure high-quality evidence. After selection, the risk of bias of the articles was assessed according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Seven randomized controlled trials, with a total of 260 participants, met the eligibility criteria. Interventions combining resistance exercise three times per week at 60-80% of one-repetition maximum with daily protein supplementation of at least 15 g, mainly from dairy sources, showed synergistic effects. Improvements were observed in inflammatory and anabolic biomarkers, with reductions in myostatin, activin, and IL-6, and increases in IGF-1, follistatin, and IL-10. Functional outcomes included gains in muscle strength, fat-free mass, and muscle fiber cross-sectional area. Despite heterogeneity in duration and sample size, findings support this combined approach as a promising and clinically applicable strategy to prevent and treat sarcopenia. No external funding was received, and the review is registered in PROSPERO (CRD42025640989).

Indexed as

Dietary ProteinsExerciseSarcopeniaBiomarkersDietary SupplementsHumansInsulin-Like Growth Factor IMuscle, SkeletalMuscle StrengthRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicResistance TrainingBiomarkersDietary ProteinsInsulin-Like Growth Factor Ibiomarkersexerciseprotein intakesarcopenia

Identifiers

PMID41750266
PMCPMC12937736

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

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.