The effect of different exercise programs on sarcopenia criteria in older people: A systematic review of systematic reviews with meta-analysis

Luis Fernando Ferreira; Estela Lopes Scariot; Luis Henrique Telles da Rosa

doi:10.1016/j.archger.2022.104868

The effect of different exercise programs on sarcopenia criteria in older people: A systematic review of systematic reviews with meta-analysis

Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2023 Feb:105:104868. doi: 10.1016/j.archger.2022.104868. Epub 2022 Nov 13.

Authors

Luis Fernando Ferreira¹, Estela Lopes Scariot², Luis Henrique Telles da Rosa³

Affiliations

¹ Post-graduation program in Rehabilitation Sciences, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Electronic address: proffernandof@gmail.com.
² Post-graduation program in Health Sciences, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
³ Physiotherapy Department, Federal University of Health Sciences onf Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

PMID: 36402001
DOI: 10.1016/j.archger.2022.104868

Abstract

Objective: To compare the results of different modalities of physical exercises on the sarcopenia diagnostic criteria in older people.

Methods: Systematic review of systematic reviews. Search strategy included older people and sarcopenia MeSh, performed at mainly databases. Selected studies include older adults, submitted to physical training (Intervention Group: IG) compared to control groups (CG). Quantitative analyses with the inverse variance statistic method (random effects). The effect measures mean difference. Heterogeneity measured with Q-Test.

Results: 494 systematic reviews found. After screening, 5 were included (48 papers. n=3,877). Mean age: 74.02±6.1. 73.44% female. Mean interventions duration: 17.38 weeks (average: 2.56 weekly sessions). AMSTAR and PRISMA showed high methodological quality. Meta-analyses compared results of resistance training interventions (RTA) with other than resistance (Non-resistance Training interventions: NRTA). Handgrip strength, skeletal muscle mass (SMM) and gait speed showed statistically significant differences (SSD) favorable to IG. In chair stand test, RTA showed SSD favorable to the IG, and NRTA to CG. The timed-up-and-go do not showed SSD.

Discussion: The SMM and strength showed better results in RTA, although the confidence intervals (CI) overlap. Both valences can be trained with similar volume and training intensity, which can modify muscle volume and strength. Physical performance obtained better results in NRTA, even with CI overlap. For severely sarcopenic, training including more than one valence may be best. In sarcopenia diagnosis most studies do not take into account the consensuses of standardization, making hard the larger groups analysis.

Conclusion: Being part of any training program can be beneficial for sarcopenia in older people, with resistance training better for strength and SMM, and mixed modalities for physical performance.

Keywords: Aged; Physical exercise; Sarcopenia; Systematic review.

Publication types

Systematic Review
Meta-Analysis
Review

MeSH terms

Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Exercise
Female
Hand Strength*
Humans
Male
Resistance Training*