Optimal dose of resistance training to improve handgrip strength in older adults with sarcopenia: a systematic review and Bayesian model-based network meta-analysis
BackgroundSarcopenia is prevalent in older adults and affects their quality of life and overall health, low handgrip strength is one of the main manifestations of sarcopenia. Resistance training is an effective intervention for improving muscle strength in older adults, but the optimal dose of resis...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Physiology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2025.1564988/full |
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| author | Li Hua-Rui Huang Shouliang Yv Zhengze Jiang Ning Li Peihua Zhai Yifei Peng Fenglin |
| author_facet | Li Hua-Rui Huang Shouliang Yv Zhengze Jiang Ning Li Peihua Zhai Yifei Peng Fenglin |
| author_sort | Li Hua-Rui |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundSarcopenia is prevalent in older adults and affects their quality of life and overall health, low handgrip strength is one of the main manifestations of sarcopenia. Resistance training is an effective intervention for improving muscle strength in older adults, but the optimal dose of resistance training remains unclear. Therefore, the aim of this meta-analysis was to investigate the dose-response relationship between different doses of resistance training and grip strength in older adults.MethodsThis systematic review and network meta-analysis included a search in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library for randomized controlled trials from inception to 19 October 2024 of resistance training for patients with senile sarcopenia. Comprehensive data extraction covered dose, resistance training protocol, demographics, and study duration. Systematic review with Bayesian network meta-analysis (NMA) methodology was employed and results were presented as 95% credible intervals (Crl).ResultsA total of 13 studies involving 711 participants (mean age: 68.29 ± 5.30 years; mean BMI: 24.03 ± 3.43; female: 79.5%) were included in this study. The results of our network meta-analysis showed that resistance training variables (e.g., frequency, intensity, period, and training volume) were effective in improving handgrip strength in older patients with sarcopenia. Among them, the effective dose range for frequency of resistance training was 2–5 times/week, resistance training intensity was 30%–75%, resistance training period was 4–24 weeks, resistance training exercise was 3–17 exercises per set, resistance training repetitions was 10–24 reps, resistance training sets was 2–8 sets, resistance training volume was 528–2,200 reps per week. The optimal dose of resistance training to improve handgrip strength in older adults with sarcopenia is 3 times per week (MD = 7.02, 95% CrI [4.62, 9.42]), 49% 1RM (MD = 7.11, 95% CrI [2.69, 11.52]), 19 weeks (MD = 7.87, 95% CrI [3.89, 11.85]), 15 exercises (MD = 8.16, 95% CrI [3.65, 12.66]), 16 reps (MD = 7.62; 95% CrI [4.77, 10.46]), 6 sets (MD = 8.63; 95% CrI [5.06, 12.21]), 1,400 reps/week (MD = 8.45; 95% CrI [5.50, 11.40]).ConclusionResistance training effectively improves handgrip strength in older adults with sarcopenia. A recommended 19-week program includes 3 sessions per week at 49% 1RM, featuring 15 exercises per set, 6 sets, and 16 repetitions per exercise, totaling up to 1,400 reps weekly.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/recorddashboard. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ceb155aae7e647a8b89b5fdacfd87912 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1664-042X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-ceb155aae7e647a8b89b5fdacfd879122025-08-20T03:28:43ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Physiology1664-042X2025-07-011610.3389/fphys.2025.15649881564988Optimal dose of resistance training to improve handgrip strength in older adults with sarcopenia: a systematic review and Bayesian model-based network meta-analysisLi Hua-Rui0Huang Shouliang1Yv Zhengze2Jiang Ning3Li Peihua4Zhai Yifei5Peng Fenglin6College of Sport and Health, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, ChinaCollege of Sport and Health, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, ChinaCollege of Sport and Health, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, ChinaCollege of Sport and Health, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, ChinaCollege of Sport and Health, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, ChinaSports Science Institution, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, ChinaCollege of Sport and Health, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, ChinaBackgroundSarcopenia is prevalent in older adults and affects their quality of life and overall health, low handgrip strength is one of the main manifestations of sarcopenia. Resistance training is an effective intervention for improving muscle strength in older adults, but the optimal dose of resistance training remains unclear. Therefore, the aim of this meta-analysis was to investigate the dose-response relationship between different doses of resistance training and grip strength in older adults.MethodsThis systematic review and network meta-analysis included a search in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library for randomized controlled trials from inception to 19 October 2024 of resistance training for patients with senile sarcopenia. Comprehensive data extraction covered dose, resistance training protocol, demographics, and study duration. Systematic review with Bayesian network meta-analysis (NMA) methodology was employed and results were presented as 95% credible intervals (Crl).ResultsA total of 13 studies involving 711 participants (mean age: 68.29 ± 5.30 years; mean BMI: 24.03 ± 3.43; female: 79.5%) were included in this study. The results of our network meta-analysis showed that resistance training variables (e.g., frequency, intensity, period, and training volume) were effective in improving handgrip strength in older patients with sarcopenia. Among them, the effective dose range for frequency of resistance training was 2–5 times/week, resistance training intensity was 30%–75%, resistance training period was 4–24 weeks, resistance training exercise was 3–17 exercises per set, resistance training repetitions was 10–24 reps, resistance training sets was 2–8 sets, resistance training volume was 528–2,200 reps per week. The optimal dose of resistance training to improve handgrip strength in older adults with sarcopenia is 3 times per week (MD = 7.02, 95% CrI [4.62, 9.42]), 49% 1RM (MD = 7.11, 95% CrI [2.69, 11.52]), 19 weeks (MD = 7.87, 95% CrI [3.89, 11.85]), 15 exercises (MD = 8.16, 95% CrI [3.65, 12.66]), 16 reps (MD = 7.62; 95% CrI [4.77, 10.46]), 6 sets (MD = 8.63; 95% CrI [5.06, 12.21]), 1,400 reps/week (MD = 8.45; 95% CrI [5.50, 11.40]).ConclusionResistance training effectively improves handgrip strength in older adults with sarcopenia. A recommended 19-week program includes 3 sessions per week at 49% 1RM, featuring 15 exercises per set, 6 sets, and 16 repetitions per exercise, totaling up to 1,400 reps weekly.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/recorddashboard.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2025.1564988/fullolder adultssarcopeniaresistance trainingoptimal dosereview |
| spellingShingle | Li Hua-Rui Huang Shouliang Yv Zhengze Jiang Ning Li Peihua Zhai Yifei Peng Fenglin Optimal dose of resistance training to improve handgrip strength in older adults with sarcopenia: a systematic review and Bayesian model-based network meta-analysis Frontiers in Physiology older adults sarcopenia resistance training optimal dose review |
| title | Optimal dose of resistance training to improve handgrip strength in older adults with sarcopenia: a systematic review and Bayesian model-based network meta-analysis |
| title_full | Optimal dose of resistance training to improve handgrip strength in older adults with sarcopenia: a systematic review and Bayesian model-based network meta-analysis |
| title_fullStr | Optimal dose of resistance training to improve handgrip strength in older adults with sarcopenia: a systematic review and Bayesian model-based network meta-analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Optimal dose of resistance training to improve handgrip strength in older adults with sarcopenia: a systematic review and Bayesian model-based network meta-analysis |
| title_short | Optimal dose of resistance training to improve handgrip strength in older adults with sarcopenia: a systematic review and Bayesian model-based network meta-analysis |
| title_sort | optimal dose of resistance training to improve handgrip strength in older adults with sarcopenia a systematic review and bayesian model based network meta analysis |
| topic | older adults sarcopenia resistance training optimal dose review |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2025.1564988/full |
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