Sex Differences in Adaptations in Muscle Strength and Size Following Resistance Training in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Methodology

Meta-analysis

Population

30 studies, 41 comparisons, n=1410 older adults (651 men, 759 women) aged >50 y

Intervention

Resistance training in older men vs. older women; between-sex comparison of relative and absolute changes

Findings

In older adults, women achieved significantly greater relative lower-body strength gains than men, while men achieved significantly greater absolute gains in upper-body strength, lower-body strength and muscle size. The apparent sex difference depends entirely on whether relative or absolute change is analysed — a critical point for programme evaluation and client communication.

Outcome measures

Relative and absolute upper- and lower-body muscle strength; relative and absolute muscle size

Limitations

Mean methodological quality of included studies was modest; between-study rather than within-study sex comparisons in most cases; heterogeneous RT protocols and measurement methods; hormone-therapy status of postmenopausal women rarely reported.

Original source

DOI: 10.1007/s40279-020-01388-4 · PMID: 33332016