Resistance training with progressive load associated with nutritional advice reduces the frequency of sarcopenia in older people

Background: Sarcopenia is a musculoskeletal, progressive, and generalized disorder characterized by decreased muscle strength and mass that is directly related to age, a sedentary lifestyle, and poor nutrition. Associated with aging and other factors such as a sedentary lifestyle, sarcopenia can decrease quality of life, central nervous system damage, reduced anabolic pathways, and increased low-grade chronic inflammation. Aims To evaluate the effect of 12-week progressive intensity Resistance Training (RT) associated with nutritional advice on the frequency of sarcopenia in older adults. Methods The participants received nutritional advice in group meetings immediately before the stard of the study and during the 12 weeks. The sarcopenia status of the participants was assessed at baseline and after a 12-week intervention. Results The RT associated with nutritional advice completely reduced the frequency of sarcopenia in the intervention group (p = 0.000). On the other hand, the control group increased the incidence of sarcopenia. After 12 weeks, progressive intensity RT associated with nutritional advice proved to be an effective treatment to reverse sarcopenia and keep the participants non-sarcopenic individuals. Conclusion The results of this study provide information about an efficient and non-pharmacological sarcopenia treatment.