Amino acid supplements alongside strength training: uncertain benefits for sarcopenia
A review found possible gains in strength and physical function, with no statistically clear increase in muscle mass and low confidence in the evidence.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Adding amino acid supplements to resistance training may improve handgrip strength and physical performance in older adults with sarcopenia. The review found no statistically clear improvement in muscle mass measures. Because the evidence was rated low to very low certainty, substantial uncertainty remains about how much extra benefit the supplements provide.
The evidence was rated low to very low certainty. The abstract omits treatment durations and does not describe adverse effects, limiting interpretation of benefits and harms.
What researchers found
Handgrip strength
Supplements plus resistance training versus training alone; standardized mean difference. The positive value means greater grip strength. Standard deviations measure variation in strength readings, not raw strength units or percentages. Assessment timing is unspecified.
Where changes appeared
Reported improvements involved grip strength, walking speed and performance on tests of standing up and other physical tasks. These functional outcomes should be considered separately from muscle mass, which did not show a statistically significant change.
Why results may vary
Results varied with starting protein intake, treatment setting, supplement ingredients and training frequency. The abstract does not identify a single supplement or schedule with reliably greater benefit, so it cannot support a specific regimen.
The original publication
Combined resistance training and amino acid-based supplementation for sarcopenia in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Xie C, Yan R, Tao R
BMC Musculoskelet Disord · 2026
- PubMed ID
- 41540398
- Record checked
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