# For Older Adults Losing Muscle, Lifting Weights Beats Cardio

*Systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of exercise in older adults with sarcopenia.*

- **Evidence Level**: Moderate
- **Publication Types**: Journal Article
- **Journal**: Scientific reports
- **Sample Size**: N/A (review of 72 trials in older adults with sarcopenia)
- **Authors**: Lucio MCF, de Oliveira RG, de Almeida LIM, de Oliveira LC
- **Published**: 2026-06-17
- **Topics**: sarcopenia, resistance training, muscle
- **DOI**: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-55850-w
- **Original Source**: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42310042/

## Summary

As we age, we lose muscle and strength, a condition called sarcopenia. Looking at dozens of trials in older adults with this problem, exercise clearly improved muscle, strength, and physical function. Resistance training (lifting weights) worked best for building muscle mass. Adding nutritional supplements to exercise helped a bit more, but that evidence was weaker.

## Practical Takeaway

This review suggests resistance training may be the most effective exercise for older adults losing muscle.

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