Table 5 RT + supplement or dietary control studies
From: Resistance Training and Weight Loss in Older Adults: A Scoping Review
Study | Exercise protocol | WL-related outcome(s) | Feasibility/tolerability |
|---|---|---|---|
Avila et al. [28] | Frequency: 3x/wk for 10 weeks Modality: selectorized resistance exercise machines (six upper and lower body; 4 sets × 8–12 repetitions) + stretching | Significant reductions relative to baseline were observed in BM (− 3.3 + 0.8 kg, p < 0.001) and FM (− 4.1 + 0.9 kg, p < 0.001) in the DASH + RT group, while significant reductions in BM were observed in the DASH-only group (− 1.7 + 0.9 kg, p = 0.044). Results support existing knowledge that exercise + diet approaches to WL are generally more effective than diet-only approaches | Dropouts: 1 (96% adherence) AEs: 1 × minor hip extensor strain Tolerability: NR Feasibility: NR |
Aguiar et al. [18] | Frequency: 3x/wk for 12 weeks Medication: Creatine monohydrate (5.0 g/day vs. placebo) WL outcome measure: Δ body mass, Δ %BF using DEXA | No change in BM or %BF (via DEXA) observed in either group (CRP vs. placebo) relative to baseline. CRP group gained significantly more (p < 0.05) FFM (+ 3.2%) and muscle mass (+ 2.8%) than the placebo group over the course of the study. Results suggest creatine phosphate supplementation may be an effective dietary adjunct for older women participating in a structured RT program | Dropouts / AEs: see Table 2 Tolerability: CR supplementation appears to increase tolerable volume of RT Feasibility: see Table 2 |
Beavers et al. [29] | Frequency: 4x/wk (2 × upper body, 2 × lower body) for 18 months Modality: eight selectorized resistance exercise machines (3 sets of 10–12 repetitions) | Total BM loss was greatest when WL was combined with exercise (WL: − 5.7 + 0.7 kg, WL + AT: − 8.5 + 0.7 kg, WL + RT: − 8.7 + 0.7 kg; p < 0.01). LM loss was greatest in WL + AT (− 1.6 + 0.3 kg, − 3.1%) compared with WL + RT (− 0.8 + 0.3 kg, − 1.5%) or WL (− 1.0 + 0.3 kg; − 2.0%); both p = 0.02. Results confirm and existing literature WL + RT is preferable to WL + AT with respect to exercise aimed at improving body composition in obese and overweight older adults | Dropouts: 14 (17%) AEs: 2 × dropout due to medical complication Tolerability: NR Feasibility: NR |
Brochu et al. [15] | Frequency: 3x/wk for 6 months Modality: Seven exercises targeting the whole body (leg press, chest press; lateral pull downs; shoulder press; arm curls, triceps extensions). 2–3 sets (15 repetitions, 65% 1RM) per exercise in Phase 1 progressing to 3–4 sets (10–12 repetitions, 75% 1RM) per exercise in Phase 4 | Both CR and CR + RT were found to facilitate significant improvements in BM, %FM (via DEXA), and total FM. Results reinforce the complementary role exercise and diet play in healthy weight loss and upper limit of RT-alone to effect body composition | Dropouts: 30 (21.9%) AEs: 3 Tolerability: NR Feasibility: NR Adherence to intervention: see Table 3 |
Campbell et al. [10] | Frequency: 3x/wk for 16 weeks Modality: Pneumatic resistance exercise machines targeting the whole body (2–3 sets of 8–12 repetitions per exercise @ approx. 80% 1RM) | RT did not lead to any additional in weight loss or %BF changes compared to the non-exercising control. Results reinforce the complementary role exercise and diet play in healthy weight loss and upper limit of RT-alone to effect body composition | Dropouts: 0 AEs: NR Tolerability: NR Feasibility: NR |
Shea et al. [34] | Frequency: 3x/wk for 16 weeks Modality: 2 × pneumatic resistance exercise machines (lower body) + combination of Nautilus resistance machines and dumbbells (upper body). Progression for all exercises was as follows. Week 1: two sets of 8–10 reps at 40–50% of 1RM; Week 2: three sets of 8–10 reps at 50–60% of 1RM; Weeks 3–16: three sets of 8–10 reps at 70% of 1RM | Men who were given pioglitazone lost more visceral abdominal fat than men who were not given pioglitazone (p = 0.007), while women who were given pioglitazone lost less thigh subcutaneous fat (p = 0.002). RT diminished thigh muscle loss in men and women (RT vs. no RT men: p = 0.005, women: p = 0.04). In overweight/obese older men undergoing weight loss, pioglitazone increased visceral fat loss and RT reduced skeletal muscle loss | Dropouts: 7 (8%) AEs: 0 Tolerability: Feasibility |
Straight et al. [28] | Frequency: 2x/wk for 8 weeks Modality: Combination of free weights, elastic tubing and ankle weights targeting whole body muscle groups (three sets of 8–12 repetitions per exercise) | Significant reductions observed in BM (–1.0 ± 1.8 kg, p < 0.001), BMI (–0.4 ± 0.8 kg/m2, p < 0.001; via BIA), %FM (–0.5 ± 1.4%, p < 0.001; via BIA), and FM (–0.8 ± 1.6 kg, p < 0.001; via BIA) | Dropouts: 14 (12.8%) AEs: 1 (strained muscle leading to dropout Tolerability: potentially enhanced by use of RPE to monitor RT intensity [39] Feasibility: enhanced by use of portable and inexpensive RT modalities such as ankle weights, elastic tubing |
Verreijin et al. [31] | Frequency: 3x/wk for 10 weeks Modality: Squats, lunges, chest press, shoulder press, biceps curls, triceps extensions, standing rows, step-ups and crunches (2 sets per exercise progressing to 3 sets) | Significant decrease in BM and FM across all groups (p < 0.05; both via ADP), highest in exercise cohorts although the between-group difference was non-significant. There was no significant effect of high protein and exercise on change in FFM and FM, but RT significantly decreased body fat percentage with 0.8% (p = 0.048) | Dropouts: 32 (32%) Adherence to intervention: mean adherence = 2.8 ± 0.3 times/week AEs: 1 Tolerability: low considering high dropout rate Feasibility: low considering degree of exercise supervision and dietary control required |