Does the Combination of Resistance Training and A Nutritional Intervention Have A Synergic Effect on Muscle Mass, Strength, and Physical Function in Older Adults? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

\n Background: Health-promoting interventions are important to prevent frailty and sarcopenia in older adults. However, there is limited evidence that nutritional interventions yield additional effects when combined with resistance training. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare the effectiveness of nutritional interventions with resistance training and that of resistance training only.Methods: Randomized controlled trials published in peer-reviewed journals prior to July 2020 were retrieved from databases and other sources. The articles were screened according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using Cochrane’s risk of bias tool 2. A meta-analysis was performed using the RevMan 5.4 program.Results: A total of 26 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The results of the meta-analysis showed no significant differences between groups in lean body mass, appendicular skeletal muscle mass, hand grip strength, knee extension, chair stand test results, or the timed up-and-go test results. In the subgroup analysis regarding the types of nutritional interventions, creatine showed significant effects on lean body mass (n=3, MD 2.96, CI 0.76 to 5.16). Regarding the other subgroup analyses, there were no significant differences in the mean age or sex of the participants, type of nutritional intervention, or duration of intervention.Conclusions: This meta-analysis showed that the addition of nutritional interventions to resistance training has no additional effect on body composition, muscle strength, or physical function. Only creatine showed synergistic effects with resistance training on muscle mass.Trial RegistrationCRD42021224843