Muscle Loss in Old Age: Exercise Builds Strength and Mass
Graded Moderate — an analysis of 72 trials with random assignment and 6,204 people; the authors rate confidence in the findings as ranging only from very low to moderate.
- Design
- Meta-analysis
- Participants
- 6,204
- Duration
- —
- Funding
- —
Exercise improves muscle mass, strength and physical performance in older adults with age-related muscle loss.
Older adults with age-related muscle loss get stronger and physically more capable when they exercise. Their muscle mass grows a little too. Doctors call this muscle loss sarcopenia: muscles lose mass and strength with age. That raises the risk of falls, of needing care and of dying early.
A research team analysed 72 trials with 6,204 older adults in total. In every trial, chance decided who exercised. Programs lasted from three weeks to three years and ranged from weight training to aerobic exercise and Tai Chi. People who combined exercise with nutritional supplements gained more muscle mass and strength than those on supplements alone. Weight training built more muscle mass than aerobic training, but only two small trials compared them directly.
Quality of life showed no clear difference. Whether exercise helps people live longer cannot be said, because only one trial counted deaths. The authors rate their confidence in the main findings as moderate. For comparisons between exercise types and combinations, it is low to very low. Of the trials, 49 did not report side effects.
Disclaimer: Research summaries are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your health routine.