Characteristics of resistance training-based protocols in older adults with sarcopenic obesity: a scoping review of training procedure recommendations

Abstract

BackgroundSarcopenic obesity (SO) is a clinical and functional disease characterized by the coexistence of obesity and sarcopenia. Resistance training (RT) characteristics for older adults with sarcopenia or obesity are already well established in the scientific literature. Nonetheless, we still do not know how detailed the RT protocols are described for older adults with SO. Therefore, we aimed to analyze the characteristics of RT programs, including each of their variables, recommended for older adults with SO.MethodsThis is a scoping review study that was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis for Scoping Reviews. The search was carried out until November 2022 in PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus, LILACS, Google Scholar, and medRxiv databases. The studies included SO diagnosis and RT as an intervention strategy. The RT variables analyzed were as follows: exercise selection, the volume of sets, the intensity of load, repetition cadence, rest interval between sets, and weekly frequency.ResultsA total of 1,693 studies were identified. After applying the exclusion criteria, 15 studies were included in the final analysis. The duration of the RT intervention ranged from 8 to 24 weeks. All studies included full-body routines, with single/multi-joint exercises. Regarding the volume of sets, some studies fixed it in three sets, whereas others varied between one and three sets. The load was reported by repetition range and the weight lifted, elastic-band color/resistance, percentage of one repetition maximum, or perceived exertion scale. Repetition cadence was fixed in some studies, while it was self-selected between concentric and eccentric phases in others. The interval between sets of rest varied from 30 to 180 s. All studies reported progression overload during the interventions. Not all studies reported how the exercise selection, repetition cadence, and rest interval were made.ConclusionThe characteristics of RT protocols and their variables prescribed in the literature for older adults with SO were mapped. The lack of detail on some training variables (i.e., exercise selection, repetition cadence, and rest interval) was identified. RT protocols are heterogeneous and described only partially among studies. The recommendations for RT prescription details in older adults with SO are provided for future studies.Systematic review registrationhttps://osf.io/wzk3d/.

Sarcopenic obesity does not impair lower limb strength and physical performance in sufficiently active older adults: a cross-sectional study

“…In this sense, it would be elucidated whether muscle strength and physical performance could be reduced in older adults with SO, even if they are sufficiently active. In addition, is suggested intervention studies with exercises (i.e., strength, power, and endurance), to verify their impact on body recompositing (fat loss and muscle mass gain) of older adults with SO 52 , 55 .…”

Construction of an Exercise Intervention Program for Patients with Sarcopenic Obesity: A Delphi Method Study

“…In summing up the characteristics of resistance training programs for patients with sarcopenia obesity, Silva pointed out that more than half of the studies chose the exercise intensity range of 40% to 85% of 1 Repetition Maximum (1 Repetition Maximum, 1RM). 34 However, in the actual operating environment, it is challenging to achieve accurate measurement and evaluation of 1RM. Because it is difficult to determine the difference of 1RM and each study often uses different measurement tools.…”