Multicomponent exercise training
Multicomponent exercise training has been studied in 13 papers since 2017: 11 trials in people, 2 reviews; 1 in the past year. The newest paper, Jan 1, 2026: “Evaluating the Impact of a One-Year Exercise Program on Probable Sarcopenia in Older Adults”.
13 papers study it46 findingsUpdated
“The exercise intervention significantly improved IC compared to the control group”
2 of its findings point the other way.
- 10 independent labs in 8 countries
- 2 findings against
- Funders: Universidad San Sebastián and others
- Human trial11
Studies in people
See all 1111 studies gave multicomponent exercise training to people and measured what changed.
up: Improves physical function13.0%
down: Decreases probable sarcopenia prevalence88.6% vs. 67.4%
Trial132 peopleThe majority were men (61.3%)average age was 67.0 ± 5.8 years1‐year
Community‐dwelling older adults with probable sarcopenia
Journal of aging research, Jan 1, 2026
up: Improves intrinsic capacity7.74 points, 95% CI 6.45–9.03
Randomized trial570 people87.3 ± 4.8 years1 year after discharge
Older adults; The oldest old; Acutely hospitalized older adults
Age and ageing, Mar 28, 2025
up: Improves cardiopulmonary reserve+3.32 mL/kg/min (95% CI 2.10-4.53; P < .001)
up: Improves right ventricular function+65.57 mL/s, P = .006; +56.39 mL/s, P = .026
Randomized trial120 peopleBoth65-85 years12 months
Older adults
Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, Jun 28, 2024
up: Improves cardiorespiratory fitnessp < .001
up: Improves upper limb strengthp = .017 to p < .001
Trial45 peopleWomen60-69 yearsten-month
Older adults; The oldest old
Research quarterly for exercise and sport, Feb 7, 2024
no change: Has no effect on handgrip strength
Randomized trial79 peopleBothaged 60 years or older1 year
Community-dwelling, healthy older adults
European geriatric medicine, May 9, 2023
What did studies of Multicomponent exercise training find?
27Studies of Multicomponent exercise training measured 27 outcomes; the most studied are physical function (4 studies), muscle strength (2) and frailty (2).
Physical function
upin humans4+13%
4 studies
Physical function
upin humans4+13%
Multicomponent exercise training improves physical function in humans (13.0%).
“The exercise training program significantly increased TUG (−7.0%), balance (53.0%), 5STS (−10.0%), and WS at normal pace (13.0%).”
Human trial1‐yearn = 132
Evaluating the Impact of a One-Year Exercise Program on Probable Sarcopenia in Older Adults
Journal of aging research
Multicomponent exercise training improves physical function in humans (TUG -7.0%; balance +53.0%; 5STS -10.0%; normal-pace walking speed +13.0%).
“MCET significantly increased TUG (-7.0%), balance (53.0%), 5STS (-10.0%), and WS at normal pace (13.0%).”
Human trialBrazilian community-dwelling older adults with probable sarcopeniatwice a week1 yearn = 132
Evaluating the Impact of a One-Year Exercise Program on Probable Sarcopenia in Older Adults
Journal of aging research
Multicomponent exercise training improves physical function in humans (Δ = 1.11, d = 0.63).
“performance classification of the SPPB (Δ = 1.11, d = 0.63”
Human trial12 weeksn = 45
International journal of environmental research and public health
Multicomponent exercise training improves physical function in humans.
“significantly improved scores in QoL, biological and biopsychosocial frailty, sarcopenia, functionality in basic, instrumental, and advanced activities of daily living”
Human trial12 weeksn = 45
International journal of environmental research and public health
Multicomponent exercise training improves physical function in humans (r: −0.50 to −0.56).
“The IG showed a significant improvement in TUG performance from baseline up to 3 months and 6 months of MCT (p < 0.0167; r: −0.50 to −0.56, respectively; ), and in 6MWT performance from baseline up to 3 months (p = 0.001; r: −0.58).”
Human trial6 months (24 weeks)n = 20
International journal of environmental research and public health
Multicomponent exercise training improves physical function in humans (7.3 ± 1.8 s vs 9.3 ± 3.2 s).
“The IG also significantly enhanced their TUG performance after 3 months (7.6 ± 1.6 s) and 6 months (7.3 ± 1.8 s) of training compared to baseline (9.3 ± 3.2 s)”
Human trialfunctionally limited, frail, and pre-frail older adults6 monthsn = 20
International journal of environmental research and public health
Multicomponent exercise training improves physical function in humans.
“There was an improvement in aerobic capacity, lower and upper limb strength in the experimental group (p < 0.01)”
Human trial12 weeksfemalesn = 41
Journal of bodywork and movement therapies
Muscle strength
upin humans1no changein humans1
2 studies
Muscle strength
upin humans1no changein humans1
Multicomponent exercise training improves muscle strength in humans (234.31 ± 83.2 vs 210.07 ± 87.11 N·m).
“The post-training muscle strength in both Y and E groups was significantly higher (234.31 ± 83.2 N·m) than was the pre-training muscle strength (210.07 ± 87.11 N m) (F = 5.470, p = 0.026, η2 = 0.154).”
Human trial12 weeks
Effects of multicomponent exercise training on muscle oxygenation in young and older adults
Journal of exercise science and fitness
Multicomponent exercise training improves muscle strength in humans (234.31 ± 83.2 N·m, p < 0.05).
“Muscle strength significantly increased in the post-training (234.31 ± 83.2 N·m, p < 0.05).”
Human trial12 weeks
Effects of multicomponent exercise training on muscle oxygenation in young and older adults
Journal of exercise science and fitness
Multicomponent exercise training has no effect on muscle strength in humans.
“No significant differences were observed between EG and CG over time in any of the anthropometric, muscle strength, and vitamin D variables assayed.”
Human trial5 monthsn = 84
Effects of a Multicomponent Exercise Training Program on Balance Following Bariatric Surgery
International journal of sports medicine
Frailty
downin humans2
2 studies
Frailty
downin humans2
Multicomponent exercise training decreases frailty in humans (Δ = −1.13, d = −0.45).
“Moreover, biological fragility (Δ = −0.36, d = −0.45), biopsychosocial frailty (Δ = −1.13, d = −0.45), sarcopenia (Δ = −0.64, d = −0.41), basic, instrumental, and advanced ADLs (Δ = −2.06, d = −0.20) and mood (Δ = −0.98, d = −0.61) also showed significant improvements, i.e., decreases in scores.”
Human trial12 weeksn = 45
International journal of environmental research and public health
Multicomponent exercise training decreases frailty in humans.
“significantly improved scores in QoL, biological and biopsychosocial frailty”
Human trial12 weeksn = 45
International journal of environmental research and public health
Multicomponent exercise training decreases frailty in humans.
“is able to modify the frailty status when measured with the Fried scale.”
Human trialduring adjuvant or palliative treatment10 weeks
The Journal of frailty & aging
Handgrip strength
no changein humans1
1 study
Handgrip strength
no changein humans1
Multicomponent exercise training has no effect on handgrip strength in humans.
“Repeated measurements ANOVA (IG vs. CG) × (pre vs. post) for maximum handgrip strength (see Table ) revealed no significant group × time interaction effect (F(1,49) = 0.018, p = 0.89) and furthermore indicating no effect with an effect size η2 ≤ 0.001.”
Human trial1 year
European geriatric medicine
Multicomponent exercise training has no effect on handgrip strength in humans (F(1,49) = 0.018, p = 0.893).
“A 1-year multicomponent agility training does not affect handgrip strength in healthy older adults.”
Human trial12 monthsn = 79
European geriatric medicine
Electromyography median frequency
downin humans1
1 study
Electromyography median frequency
downin humans1
Multicomponent exercise training decreases electromyography median frequency in humans (103.84 ± 21.75 vs 115.23 ± 22.15 Hz).
“The post-training MF value in both Y and E groups was significantly lower (103.84 ± 21.75 Hz) than the pre-training MF value (115.23 ± 22.15 Hz) (F = 5.809, p = 0.022, η2 = 0.154).”
Human trial12 weeks
Effects of multicomponent exercise training on muscle oxygenation in young and older adults
Journal of exercise science and fitness
Multicomponent exercise training decreases electromyography median frequency in humans (103.84 ± 21.75 Hz, p < 0.05).
“Additionally, the median frequency of electromyography significantly decreased in the post-training period (103.84 ± 21.75 Hz, p < 0.05).”
Human trial12 weeks
Effects of multicomponent exercise training on muscle oxygenation in young and older adults
Journal of exercise science and fitness
Muscle oxygen saturation recovery inflection time
downin humans1
1 study
Muscle oxygen saturation recovery inflection time
downin humans1
Multicomponent exercise training decreases muscle oxygen saturation recovery inflection time in humans (7.07 ± 3.31s vs 8.73 ± 4.46s).
“The post-training IF of the VOL in both Y and E groups was significantly shorter (7.07 ± 3.31s) than the pre-training IF (8.73 ± 4.46s) (F = 4.398, p = 0.044, η2 = 0.118).”
Human trial12 weeks
Effects of multicomponent exercise training on muscle oxygenation in young and older adults
Journal of exercise science and fitness
Multicomponent exercise training decreases muscle oxygen saturation recovery inflection time in humans (7.07 ± 3.31s vs 8.73 ± 4.46s, p < 0.05).
“In the recovery phase, the post-training IF of VOL (7.07 ± 3.31s) was significantly shorter than that of the pre-training period (8.73 ± 4.46s, p < 0.05).”
Human trialduring voluntary contraction recovery phase12 weeks
Effects of multicomponent exercise training on muscle oxygenation in young and older adults
Journal of exercise science and fitness
Muscle oxygen saturation
upin humans1
1 study
Muscle oxygen saturation
upin humans1
Multicomponent exercise training increases muscle oxygen saturation in humans.
“The results of the paired t tests showed that the ΔSpO2 of the ES increased significantly in the Y group (p = 0.034) after the 12 weeks of training.”
Human trial12 weeksn = 17
Effects of multicomponent exercise training on muscle oxygenation in young and older adults
Journal of exercise science and fitness
Multicomponent exercise training increases muscle oxygen saturation in humans (8.43 ± 5.35% vs 2.78 ± 3.03%, p < 0.05).
“The post-training ΔSpO2 of the ES in the Y (8.43 ± 5.35%) significantly increased and was higher than that in the E (2.78 ± 3.03%, p < 0.05).”
Human trialduring electrical stimulation in young adults12 weeks
Effects of multicomponent exercise training on muscle oxygenation in young and older adults
Journal of exercise science and fitness
Blood pressure
downin humans1
1 study
Blood pressure
downin humans1
Multicomponent exercise training decreases blood pressure in humans (Δ = −11.73, d = −0.65).
“seated systolic blood pressure decreased significantly (Δ = −11.73, d = −0.65”
Human trial12 weeksn = 45
International journal of environmental research and public health
Multicomponent exercise training decreases blood pressure in humans.
“Post intervention, participants (83.70% average attendance) significantly improved scores in QoL, biological and biopsychosocial frailty, sarcopenia, functionality in basic, instrumental, and advanced activities of daily living, dynamic balance, cognitive status and mood, systolic and diastolic blood pressure”
Human trial12 weeksn = 45
International journal of environmental research and public health
Sarcopenia
downin humans1
1 study
Sarcopenia
downin humans1
Multicomponent exercise training decreases sarcopenia in humans (Δ = −0.64, d = −0.41).
“Moreover, biological fragility (Δ = −0.36, d = −0.45), biopsychosocial frailty (Δ = −1.13, d = −0.45), sarcopenia (Δ = −0.64, d = −0.41), basic, instrumental, and advanced ADLs (Δ = −2.06, d = −0.20) and mood (Δ = −0.98, d = −0.61) also showed significant improvements, i.e., decreases in scores.”
Human trial12 weeksn = 45
International journal of environmental research and public health
Multicomponent exercise training decreases sarcopenia in humans.
“significantly improved scores in QoL, biological and biopsychosocial frailty, sarcopenia”
Human trial12 weeksn = 45
International journal of environmental research and public health
Quality of life
upin humans1
1 study
Quality of life
upin humans1
Multicomponent exercise training improves quality of life in humans (Δ = 7.8, d = 0.45).
“A significant increase was observed in the scores for the QoL (Δ = 7.8, d = 0.45), basic ADLs (Δ = 1.77, d = 0.43), and cognitive status (Δ = 1.45, d = 0.32).”
Human trial12 weeksn = 45
International journal of environmental research and public health
Multicomponent exercise training improves quality of life in humans.
“significantly improved scores in QoL”
Human trial12 weeksn = 45
International journal of environmental research and public health