Effects of resistance training on muscle mass, strength, and physical function in older women with sarcopenia
A systematic review and meta-analysis
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22081078 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Ying Zhou (0000-0001-7335-5601, Guangxi Normal University), Kaiming Wen (Hainan Medical University, corresponding author), Xinxin Zhang (0000-0002-2975-6800, Shaanxi Normal University), Yulong Sun (0000-0002-4233-2199, Guangxi University) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 13 |
| Pages | 1735899-1735899 |
| Publication date | 2026-01-26 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Frontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565 |
| Publisher | Frontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1735899 |
| PMID | 41668861 |
| OpenAlex | W7125689519 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 69 |
Background and objective: Resistance training is widely recommended for sarcopenia, yet evidence in older women remains limited. This study systematically evaluated its effects on muscle mass, strength, and physical function in this population. Methods: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched up to February 2025; the protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251066233). Meta-analyses were performed using the "meta" package in R under a random-effects model with restricted maximum likelihood estimation. Study quality was assessed using RoB 2, and evidence certainty via GRADE. Results: Twelve randomized controlled trials involving 518 older women with sarcopenia were included. Resistance training significantly improved handgrip strength (SMD = 0.43, 95% CI: 0.11-0.74), gait speed (SMD = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.09 to 0.64), knee extension strength (SMD = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.37 to 1.33), Timed Up and Go (SMD = -0.68, 95% CI: -0.95 to -0.41), and 30-Second Chair Stand (SMD = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.19 to 0.86), but had no significant effect on skeletal muscle mass index. Subgroup analyses showed that women with sarcopenic obesity achieved greater gains in knee extension strength, while those with sarcopenia alone improved more in gait speed. Mixed resistance training demonstrated a significant advantage in enhancing gait speed. Conclusion: Resistance training effectively enhances muscle strength and physical function in older women with sarcopenia, though improvements in muscle mass remain uncertain. Further large-scale, long-term studies are needed to confirm these findings and optimize intervention protocols
Muscle mass · Muscle strength · Physical activity · Resistance training · Strength Training · Balance, Gait, and Falls Prevention · Muscle Physiology and Disorders · Nutrition and Health in Aging
GRADE guidelines
Sarcopenia
The PRISMA statement for reporting systematic reviews and meta-analyses of studies that evaluate healthcare interventions
Plea for routinely presenting prediction intervals in meta-analysis
Effect Size Guidelines, Sample Size Calculations, and Statistical Power in Gerontology
RoB 2
Resistance Training for Older Adults
Bias in meta-analysis detected by a simple, graphical test
Quantifying heterogeneity in a meta‐analysis
The PRISMA 2020 statement
The prevalence of sarcopenia and risk factors in the older adult in China
Gender Differences in Physical Activity and Walking Among Older Adults
Effects of 16 Weeks of Resistance Training on Muscle Quality and Muscle Growth Factors in Older Adult Women with Sarcopenia
Comparisons of Muscle Quality and Muscle Growth Factor Between Sarcopenic and Non-Sarcopenic Older Women
Gender-Specific Risk Factors and Prevalence for Sarcopenia among Community-Dwelling Young-Old Adults
Gender-specific risk factors for incident sarcopenia
| Citations per year | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2026 - 2026 (1) |
| Highly cited | No |