The effect of resistance training on patients with secondary sarcopenia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract To analyse the effectiveness of resistance training on secondary sarcopenia, we conducted a meta-analysis to elucidate the effects of resistance training (RT) on muscle strength (handgrip strength [HGS]), muscle mass (Skeletal muscle mass index [SMI]), and physical function (Gait speed [GS]) in patients with secondary sarcopenia. All studies published between 2015 and January 2024 on the effects of resistance training on patients with secondary sarcopenia were retrieved from 6 electronic databases: PubMed, Web of Science Core Collection, Embase, the Cochrane Library, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) Core journals and the Wanfang Database. Two researchers independently extracted and evaluated studies that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Finally, 12 randomized controlled trials were included. Pooled analyses of baseline data and results were performed using Review Manager 5.3 with standardized mean variance (SMD) and random effects model. The study included 12 randomized controlled trials involving 639 patients (mean age 57.28 ± 2.66 to 79.6 ± 5.4 years). There are five types of complications among the patients: obesity, type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, hemodiaysis, and pancreatic cancer. Compared with the control group, RT effectively improved HGS [SMD = 2.47, 95% CI (1.50, 3.43), p < 0.01, I 2 = 94%]; SMI [SMD = 0.94, 95% CI (0.52, 1.36), p < 0.01, I 2 = 56%]; and GS [SMD = 2.18, 95% CI (-0.01, 4.37), p ≥ 0.05, I 2 = 97%]. Further subgroup analysis of the results showed that the intervention effect on grip strength was greater for non-elastic band resistance [SMD = 2.40, 95% CI (1.05, 3.75), p < 0.01, I 2 = 94%] than for elastic band resistance (EBRT) [SMD = 1.22, 95% CI (-0.14, 2.58), p < 0.01, I 2 = 95%]. The intervention effect of RT on grip strength is more significant in patients with T2D [SMD = 0.59, 95%CI (0.26–0.93, p < 0.01, I 2 = 27%] and obesity [SMD = 0.74, 95%CI (0.32–1.15, p < 0.01, I 2 = 0%]. For patients with secondary sarcopenia, Resistance training (RT) can effectively enhance muscle strength and muscle mass; however, it does not significantly improve physical function. Different RT intervention methods have different effects on patients, such as elastic band training and non-elastic band training (bounce ball RT; equipment RT, etc.). Different types of complications may influence the effectiveness of RT intervention.