Objective: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to clarify the effects of different exercise modes (resistance training [RT], whole body vibration training [WBVT], and mixed training [MT, resistance training combined with other exercises such as balance, endurance and aerobic training]) on muscle strength (knee extension strength [KES]) and physical performance (Timed Up and Go [TUG], gait speed [GS] and the Chair Stand [CS]) in older people with sarcopenia. Method: All studies published from January 2010 to March 2021 on the effects of exercise training in older people with sarcopenia were retrieved from 6 electronic databases: Pubmed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang Database. Two researchers independently extracted and evaluated studies that met inclusion and exclusion criteria. Pooled analyses for pre- and post- outcome measurements were performed using Review Manager 5.4 with standardized mean differences (SMDs) and fixed-effect models. Result: Twenty-six studies (25 randomized controlled trails [RCTs] and one non-randomized controlled trail) were included in this study with 1191 older people with sarcopenia (mean age 60.6 ± 2.3 to 89.5 ± 4.4). Compared with a control group, RT and MT significantly improved KES (RT, SMD = 1.36, 95% confidence intervals [95% CI]: 0.71 to 2.02, p < 0.0001, I² = 72%; MT, SMD = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.29 to 0.95, p = 0.0002, I² = 56%) and GS (RT, SMD = 2.01, 95% CI: 1.04 to 2.97, p < 0.0001, I² = 84%; MT, SMD = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.29 to 1.09, p = 0.008, I² = 81%). WBVT showed no changes in KES (SMD = 0.65, 95% CI: − 0.02 to 1.31, p = 0.06, I² = 80%) or GS (SMD = 0.12, 95% CI: − 0.15 to 0.39, p = 0.38, I² = 0%). TUG times were significantly improved with all exercise training modes (SMD = -0.66, 95% CI: − 0.94 to − 0.38, p < 0.00001, I² = 60%). There were no changes in CS times with any of the exercise training modes (SMD = 0.11, 95% CI: − 0.36 to 0.57, p = 0.65, I² = 87%). Conclusions: In older people with sarcopenia, KES and GS can be improved by RT and MT, but not by WBVT. All three training modes improved TUG times, but not improved CS times.

Objective: We conducted a meta-analysis to analyze the effects of resistance training on measures of body composition, muscle strength, and muscle performance in older people with sarcopenia. Methods: All randomized controlled trials on the effects of resistance training on outcome variables in older people with sarcopenia were searched on Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane Library, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang. Data from January 2010 to October 2020 were reviewed. Two researchers extracted data and evaluated the quality of the studies that met the inclusion criteria independently. Meta-analysis for pre-post changes were calculated as standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: Fourteen studies meeting inclusion criteria included 561 healthy older adults (age 65.8 to 82.8) with sarcopenia. Compared with the control group, resistance training had positive effects on body fat mass (SMD = -0.53, 95% CI − 0.81 to − 0.25, p = 0.0002, I² = 0%), handgrip strength (SMD = 0.81, 95%CI 0.35 to 1.27, p = 0.0005, I² = 81%), knee extension strength (SMD = 1.26, 95% CI 0.72 to 1.80, p < 0.0001, I² = 67%), gait speed (SMD = 1.28, 95%CI 0.36 to 2.19, p = 0.006, I² = 89%), and the timed up and go test (SMD = -0.93, 95% CI − 1.30 to − 0.56, p < 0.0001, I² = 23%). Resistance training had no effects on appendicular skeletal muscle mass (SMD = 0.25, 95% CI − 0.27 to 0.78, p = 0.35, I² = 68%), skeletal muscle mass (SMD = 0.27, 95% CI − 0.02 to 0.56, p = 0.07, I² = 0%) and leg lean mass (SMD = 0.12, 95% CI − 0.25 to 0.50, p = 0.52, I² = 0%). Old people with sarcopenia of different ages, genders or diagnostic criteria and weights have different gains in muscle mass, handgrip strength, knee extension strength and muscle performance after different intervention duration, frequencies, mode and intensity resistance training. Conclusion: Resistance training is an effective treatment to improve body fat mass, muscle strength, and muscle performance in healthy older people with sarcopenia.

Low-load resistance training with blood flow restriction (LRT-BFR) has shown potential to improve muscle strength and mass in different populations; however, there remains limited evidence in sarcopenic people diagnosed with sarcopenia criteria. This study systematically compared the effectiveness of LRT-BFR and conventional high-intensity resistance training (CRT) on clinical muscle outcomes (muscle mass, strength and performance), cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and sarcopenia-related biomarkers of older people with sarcopenia. Twenty-one older individuals (aged 65 years and older) diagnosed with sarcopenia were randomly assigned to the LRT-BFR (20%–30% one-repetition maximum (1RM), n = 10) or CRT (60%–70% 1RM, n = 11) group. Both groups underwent a supervised exercise program three times a week for 12 weeks. The primary outcome was knee extensor strength (KES), and the secondary outcomes included body composition (body mass, body mass index and body fat percentage), muscle mass [appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI)], handgrip strength, physical performance [short physical performance battery (SPPB) and 6-m walk], CVD risk factors [hemodynamic parameters (systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate (SBP, DBP and HR)) and lipid parameters (total cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein)], sarcopenia-related blood biomarkers [inflammatory biomarkers, hormones (growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1) and growth factors (myostatin and follistatin)] and quality of life [Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36)]. Both interventions remarkably improved the body composition, KES, 6-m walk, SBP, HDL, TG, GH, FST and SF-36 scores. CRT significantly improved the ASMI (p < 0.05) and SPPB (p < 0.05). A significant improvement in HR was observed only after LRT-BFR. No significant between-group differences were found before and after the interventions. This study suggested that LRT-BFR and CRT are beneficial to the clinical muscle outcomes, CVD risk factors and certain sarcopenia-related biomarkers of older people with sarcopenia. By comparison, CRT seems more effective in improving muscle mass, while LRT-BFR may be more beneficial for improving cardiovascular health in this population. Therefore, LRT-BFR is a potential alternative to CRT for aging sarcopenia.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the prevalence and impact of related factors for sarcopenia among community-dwelling older people in Chongming district, China, according to the diagnostic criteria of the Asia Working Group for Sarcopenia-2019. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study from April 2021 to December 2021. Diagnosis of sarcopenia (non-sarcopenia, possible sarcopenia, sarcopenia, and severe sarcopenia) was based on appendicular skeletal muscle mass index, handgrip strength, gait speed, and the 5-time chair stand test. Staff collected all subjects’ clinical and sociodemographic characteristics, cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, inflammatory markers, physical activity (PA), and daily lifestyle activities to identify sarcopenia-related factors. Results: A total of 1407 older people aged ≥ 65 years were enrolled into the study (58.7% female). The prevalence of confirmed sarcopenia was 19.6% (17.1% in females and 23.1% in males). The prevalence of possible sarcopenia, sarcopenia, and severe sarcopenia were 19.7% (22.2% in females, 16.2% in males), 11.9% (10.1% in females, 14.5% in males), and 7.7% (7% in females, 8.6% in males), respectively. Increasing age, gender, depression status, and high-fat mass were associated with an increased likelihood of sarcopenia in all subjects. In females, living alone, high-fat mass, lower body mass index (BMI), lower body weight, and have no time spent doing housework increased the likelihood of sarcopenia. In males, depression status, high-fat mass, higher neutrophils-to-lymphocytes ratio (NLR), lower BMI, lower body weight increased the likelihood of sarcopenia. Conclusion: Our study showed a high prevalence of sarcopenia among community-dwelling older people in the Chongming district. Detection, prevention, and treatment efforts are needed to reduce the impact of sarcopenia in older, rural communities in China.

Sarcopenia is a syndrome commonly found in older people. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of whole-body vibration training (WBVT) and resistance training (RT) on body composition, muscle strength, physical performance and blood biomarkers in older people with sarcopenia. We conducted a 12-week, 3-times-weekly assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial of 27 older people with sarcopenia aged ≥ 65 years. Subjects were randomized into WBVT group (n = 14) and RT group (n = 13). The primary outcome was knee extension strength (KES). Secondary outcomes were body composition [body weight, body mass index (BMI), percentage of body fat (PBF), and appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI)], muscle strength [handgrip strength (HS)], physical performance [gait speed (GS), 5-time chair stand test (5CST), and short physical performance battery (SPPB)], blood biomarkers (inflammatory factors, hormones, growth factors, and muscle injury biomarker), and quality of life questionnaire [medical outcomes study short-form 36 (SF-36)]. After 12-week intervention, in the WBVT group, we observed significant improvements in body composition (weight, BMI, PBF and ASMI), muscle strength (KES), physical performance (GS, SPPB and 5CST), blood biomarkers [insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), growth hormone, follistatin (FST) and creatine kinase (CK)] and quality of life. In the RT group, we observed significant improvements in body composition (weight, BMI and PBF), muscle strength (KES), physical performance (GS and SPPB), blood biomarkers (growth hormone, FST and CK) and quality of life. Between-group comparisons were only significant for KES (P = 0.007) and the role-physical (RP) dimension of the SF-36 (P = 0.007). WBVT and RT both improved the physical condition of older people with sarcopenia. RT excelled in muscle strength, but WBVT offered an alternative for those with restrictions. WBVT’s low risk and flexibility suited diverse conditions, providing a new rehabilitation option for patients with sarcopenia.

Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the effects of three modes of physical activity (PA) (aerobic training [AT], resistance training [RT], and aerobic combined with resistance training [MT]) on body composition (body weight [BW], body mass index [BMI] and percentage of body fat [BF%]), muscle mass (skeletal muscle mass [SM], appendicular skeletal muscle mass [ASM] and appendicular skeletal muscle mass index [ASMI]), muscle strength (handgrip strength [HG] and knee extension strength [KES]), physical performance (gait speed [GS]) and hematological parameters (inflammatory markers, insulin-like growth factor 1 [IGF-1] and lipid profiles) in older people with sarcopenic obesity (SO).Methods: We searched all studies for PA effects in older people with SO from six databases published from January 2010 to November 2021. Two researchers independently screened studies, extracted data according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, and assessed the quality of included studies. Pooled analyses for pre-and post- outcome measures were performed by Review Manager 5.4. We calculated a meta-analysis with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI) and the standardized mean differences (SMD).Results: 12 studies were analyzed. There were 614 older people (84.9% female) with SO, aged 58.4 to 88.4 years. Compared with a no-PA control group, AT decreased BW (SMD = −0.64, 95% CI: −1.13 to −0.16, p = 0.009, I² = 0%) and BMI (SMD = −0.69, 95% CI: −1.18 to −0.21, p = 0.005, I² = 0%); RT improved BF% (SMD = −0.43, 95% CI: −0.63 to −0.22, p < 0.0001, I² = 38%), ASMI (SMD = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.24 to 1.21, p = 0.004, I² = 0%), ASM (SMD = −0.94, 95% CI: −1.46 to −0.42, p = 0.0004), HG (SMD = 1.06, 95% CI: 0.22 to 1.91, p = 0.01, I² = 90%) and KES (SMD = 1.06, 95% CI: 0.73 to 1.39, p < 0.00001, I² = 14%); MT improved BMI (SMD = −0.77, 95% CI: −1.26 to −0.28, p = 0.002, I² = 0%), BF% (SMD = −0.54, 95% CI: −0.83 to −0.25, p = 0.0003, I² = 0%), ASMI (SMD = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.22 to 1.19, p = 0.005, I² = 0%) and GS (SMD = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.23 to 1.18, p = 0.004, I² = 37%). PA increased IGF-1 (SMD = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.11 to 0.66, p = 0.006, I² = 0%), but had no effect on inflammatory markers and lipid profiles.Conclusion: PA is an effective treatment to improve body composition, muscle mass, muscle strength, physical performance, and IGF-1 in older people with SO.