Table 2.
Summary of the effect of exercise on sarcopenia in randomised, controlled studies meeting the inclusion criteria
| Reference | Population | Number studied (M/F) | Age, years Mean (SD) [Range] | Intervention |
PEDro score | Outcomes measured | Main results | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Duration (months) | |||||||
| Binder et al. [23] | Frail, community-dwelling | 91 | 83 (4) | Progressive RET; CON (low-intensity home exercise) | 9 | 5 | MM (DEXA), MS (KE) | Total body FFM increased in the progressive RET group, but not in the CON group (P = 0.005) MS increased to a greater extent in the progressive RET than in the CON group (P = 0.05) |
| Bonnefoy et al. [24] | Frail, care institution | 57 (7/50) | 83 | RET + SUPP; CON + SUPP; RET + PLA; PLA + CON | 9 | 5 | MM (FFM by labelled water), MP, PP (chair rise) | RET did not improve MM or MP, but improved PP versus CON (P = 0.01) |
| Bunout et al. [25] | Community-dwelling | 98 (36/62) | ≥70 | RET + SUPP; SUPP; RET; CON | 18 | 4 | MM (DEXA), MS (quadriceps strength), PP (12-min walk) | FFM did not change in any group RET improved MS versus CON (P < 0.01) PP remained constant in RET group, but declined in the CON group (P < 0.01). |
| Suetta et al. [29] | Frail, post-operative elective hip replacement | 36 (18/18) | [60–86] | RET; ES; CON (standard rehabilitation) | 3 | 5 | MM (US), MS (quadriceps), PP (stair climbing) | RET improved MM, MS and PP versus CON (all P < 0.05) In the ES or CON groups, there was no increase in any measurement outcomes |
| Goodpaster et al. [26] | Sedentary, community-dwelling | 42 (11/31) | [70–89] | PA (aerobic, strength, flexibility, balance training); CON (health education) | 12 | 5 | MM (CT scan), MS (KE) | MM decreased in both groups (but losses were not different between groups) MS loss was decreased in CON, but completely prevented in PA (between group change not significant) |
| Kemmler et al. [27] | Community-dwelling | 246 (0/246) | 69.1 [65–80] | High-intensity multipurpose exercise programme; CON (wellbeing) | 18 | 6 | MM (DEXA), MS (isometric leg extension), PP (timed up and go) | Multipurpose exercise was associated with significant improvements in MM (P = 0.008), MS (P = 0.001), PP (P < 0.001) versus CON |
| Rydwik et al. [28] | Frail, community-dwelling | 96 (38/58) | >75 | PA (aerobic, muscle strength, balance exercises); nutrition intervention; PA + nutrition intervention; CON | 3 | 5 | MM [FFM = BW-fat mass (skin folds)], MS (leg press, dips), PP (timed up and go) | PA improved MS (P < 0.01 for dips), but did not improve MM or PP versus CON |
BW, body weight; CON, control; CT, computerised tomography; DEXA, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; ES, electrical stimulation; F, female; FFM, free-fat mass; FM, fat mass; KE, knee extension; M, male; min, minute; MM, muscle mass; MP, muscle power; MS, muscle strength; RET, resistance exercise training; PA, physical activity; PLA, placebo; PP, physical performance; SD, standard deviation; SUPP, nutritional supplement; US, ultrasound.