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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2025 Sep 24;25(1):702.
doi: 10.1186/s12877-025-06355-0.

36-Week personalized resistance training improves muscle function and circulating myokines in older women with possible sarcopenic obesity: a randomized clinical trial

Xian Guo  1   2 , Guoxia Cao  3 , Yuting Tang  3 , Xinyuan Liu  3 , Yanbing Zhou  4 , Mengmeng Chen  3
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

36-Week personalized resistance training improves muscle function and circulating myokines in older women with possible sarcopenic obesity: a randomized clinical trial

Xian Guo et al. BMC Geriatr. .

Abstract

Background: This study aims to explore the effects of personalized resistance training on muscle function and serum myokines in possible sarcopenic obese older women.

Methods: 25 possible SO older women were randomly divided into exercise group (n = 13) and control group (n = 12). According to the FITT-VP principle, personalized resistance training programs were developed based on their individual health differences. The training was implemented in three stages with gradually increasing intensity from low to moderate. Each session lasted 40 min, 3 times a week, for a total of 36 weeks. Body composition, muscle function, and serum myokines (irisin, IGF-1, and myostatin) were tested before and after the intervention in both groups.

Results: The intervention yielded significant between-group improvements in body fat percentage (P < 0.05, Hedges' g = 1.42), ASMI (P < 0.01, Hedges' g = 1.79), HGS (P < 0.01, Hedges' g = 1.91), 6-metre walk speed (P < 0.01, Hedges' g = 1.36), five times sit-to-stand performance (P < 0.05, Hedges' g = 1.08), and TUG (P < 0.01, Hedges' g = 1.20). After 36 weeks, the exercise group also showed higher IGF-1 (P < 0.05, Hedges' g = 1.46) and lower MSTN (P < 0.01, Hedges' g = 1.02) levels compared to controls.

Conclusion: The 36-week personalized resistance training program results in elevated serum IGF-1 concentrations and reduced myostatin levels, alongside independent improvements in muscle strength and muscle function among older women with probable sarcopenic obesity.

Keywords: 6-metre walking speed; ASMI; Myostatin; Resistance exercise; Sarcopenic obesity.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Experimental protocol
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Changes in body fat percentage (BF) (a), BMI (b), total muscle mass (c) and ASMI (d) before and after 36-week intervention. **P < 0.01, post-intervention, compared with pre-intervention;#P < 0.05,##P < 0.01, comparisons between the exercise and control groups at corresponding time points
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Changes in handgrip strength (HGS) (a), 6-metre walking speed (b), five times sit-to-stand (c) and TUG (d) before and after 36-week intervention. ** P < 0.01, post-intervention, compared with pre-intervention; # P < 0.05, ## P < 0.01, comparisons between the exercise and control groups at corresponding time points
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Changes in irisin (a), IGF-1 (b) and MSTN (c) before and after 36-week intervention. * P < 0.05, ** P < 0.01, post-intervention, compared with pre-intervention; # P < 0.05, ## P < 0.01, comparisons between the exercise and control groups at corresponding time points
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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