The effectiveness of protein supplementation combined with resistance exercise programs among community-dwelling older adults with sarcopenia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
What this study found
Protein supplementation combined with resistance exercise improved muscle mass and muscle strength in community-dwelling older adults with sarcopenia. It did not significantly improve physical performance outcomes such as the 5-chair stand test or gait speed. Trial-level findings were generally consistent with gains in muscle mass across multiple protein-based regimens, although one study also reported improved strength and physical performance with Ensure NutriVigor. Overall, the conclusion is that protein added to resistance training helps muscle-related outcomes but not clear functional…
- Study & population
- Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials in community-dwelling older adults with sarcopenia, generally aged over 60 years, from diverse regions including Canada, Hong Kong, Sweden, Malaysia, and China.
- Intervention
- Across randomized trials, protein supplementation was added to resistance exercise programs in community-dwelling older adults with sarcopenia.
- Key limitation
- The evidence base was small, with only a limited number of randomized trials contributing to the meta-analysis.
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Open PDFOriginal abstract
OBJECTIVES The combination of protein supplementation and resistance exercise shows promise for improving and maintaining muscle mass, strength, and performance in older adults with sarcopenia. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effects of this combination on muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance in community-dwelling older adults with sarcopenia. METHODS We conducted a comprehensive search of 4 electronic databases: PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and the MEDLINE Library. The search covered literature from January 2013 to January 2023 and followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Two independent reviewers assessed the methodological quality of each study using the standard critical appraisal tool from the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI). Meta-analysis was performed with the JBI Sumari program. RESULTS The review included 7 randomized controlled trials and 1 quasi-experimental study, encompassing a total of 854 participants aged 60 years and above. The study durations ranged from 10 weeks to 24 weeks. An analysis of standardized mean differences (SMDs) showed that protein supplementation combined with resistance exercise significantly increased muscle mass (SMD, 0.95; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.13 to 1.78; p<0.05) and muscle strength (SMD, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.08 to 0.56; p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Although the limited number of randomized controlled trials restricts the robustness of our conclusions, the evidence suggests that protein supplementation combined with resistance exercise is effective in enhancing muscle mass and strength in community-dwelling older adults with sarcopenia.