Indonesian Health Journal · Oct 21, 2026
Effects of Different Exercise Training Modes on Muscle Strength, Physical Performance, and Muscle Mass in Older People with Sarcopenia in Asian Population: A Systematic Review
By Wibowo CS, Turupadang DS
Sarcopenia poses a significant threat to mobility, functional independence, and quality of life among older adults, particularly in rapidly aging Asian populations. However, evidence regarding the comparative effectiveness of different exercise modalities remains inconsistent. This systematic review evaluated the effects of various exercise training modalities on muscle strength, physical performance, and muscle mass in older Asian adults with sarcopenia. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines, systematic searches were conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library between March and April 2026 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published from 2010 onward. Two reviewers independently screened eligible studies, and the risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 (RoB 2) tool. Findings were synthesized narratively because of substantial clinical and methodological heterogeneity. Twelve randomized controlled trials involving 916 participants with sarcopenia, presarcopenia, or sarcopenic obesity were included. Exercise interventions generally improved physical performance, particularly walking ability, chair-stand performance, and functional mobility. Resistance training and multicomponent exercise programs frequently improved muscle strength, whereas improvements in muscle mass were less consistent. Whole-body vibration training also demonstrated potential functional benefits. Variations in diagnostic criteria, exercise protocols, nutritional supplementation, and participant characteristics limited direct comparisons among exercise modalities. Overall, exercise training appeared to improve physical function in older Asian adults with sarcopenia-related conditions; however, the available evidence was insufficient to establish the most effective exercise modality or optimal training dose. Larger, methodologically rigorous trials using standardized outcome measures and longer follow-up periods are needed to inform individualized exercise prescriptions.