Combined exercise and nutrition ranked highest for sarcopenia, but evidence was uncertain
A network meta-analysis in older adults favored combined interventions for strength, walking speed, and a muscle mass index; confidence in the evidence was low to very low.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Combining exercise with nutritional supplementation ranked highest for handgrip strength, walking speed, and an index of limb muscle mass. The combined approach improved strength and the muscle index more than either approach alone. However, low to very low evidence certainty means these rankings do not establish a reliably best treatment for an individual.
The abstract supplies no units or clearly identified reference comparator for its numerical effect estimates, and no intervention durations. Overall evidence certainty was low to very low, limiting confidence in the rankings.
What the review compared
The review compared interventions across a network of trials. Its outcomes covered handgrip strength, walking speed, and appendicular skeletal muscle mass index, which describes limb muscle mass. These measures address different aspects of sarcopenia.
The results differed by outcome
Exercise alone improved the reported outcomes. Protein alone improved strength and walking speed, but its effect on the muscle mass index was not statistically significant. That result does not prove protein has no effect on muscle mass.
The original publication
Exercise and nutrition strategies for sarcopenia in older adults: evidence from a network meta-analysis based on EWGSOP and AWGS criteria.
Zhao R, Dong Y, Zheng Q et al.
Front Nutr · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 41178939
- Record checked
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