Dose-Response Relationships of Resistance Training in Healthy Old Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Methodology

Meta-analysis

Population

25 RCTs, n=819 healthy older adults, mean age 70.4 y (range ~65-80), both sexes, predominantly untrained

Intervention

Resistance training vs. passive/active control; RT programmes ≥1 wk with reported training variables

Findings

Resistance training produced large gains in muscle strength and small-to-moderate gains in muscle morphology in healthy older adults. Dose-response analyses identified a training period of roughly 50-53 weeks, 2-3 sets per exercise, intensity of 70-79% 1RM, and ~6 s time under tension per repetition as most effective for strength.

Outcome measures

Maximal muscle strength (1RM, isometric/isokinetic torque); muscle morphology (CSA, muscle thickness, lean mass)

Limitations

High heterogeneity for strength outcomes (I2=80%); dose-response relationships computed independently per variable, so interactions between variables cannot be resolved; few studies at the extremes of each dose category; healthy old adults only, limiting transfer to clinical populations.

Original source

DOI: 10.1007/s40279-015-0385-9 · PMID: 26420238