Objectives: To investigate the effects of non-pharmacological treatments on sarcopenic obesity (SO).
Methods: A search for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on SO was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, CENTRAL, SPORTDiscus, CNKI, Wanfang and VIP. A meta-analysis was conducted using random-effects models for MDs.
Results: The meta-analysis on 21 RCTs showed that exercise improved PBF (MD: -1.67%, p < .01, I2 = 35%), grip strength (MD: 2.2 kg, p = .03, I2 = 61%), GS (MD: 0.08 m/s, p = .02, I2 = 0%), TCR (MD: 2.22 repetitions, p < .01, I2 = 0%), TUG (MD: -1.48 s, p < .01, I2 = 61%), UE strength (MD: 1.88 kg/kg, p < .01, I2 = 0%) and LE strength (MD: 2.19 kg/kg, p < .01, I2 = 0%). Nutritional interventions improved grip strength (MD: 1.52 kg, p < .01, I2 = 0%). Combine interventions improved PBF (MD: -1.97%, p < .01, I2 = 38%), ASMM (MD: 0.4 kg, p < .01, I2 = 6%), grip strength (MD: 1.83 kg, p < .01, I2 = 38%) and GS (MD: 0.04 m/s, p < .01, I2 = 0%). Combined interventions were more effective than nutrition alone for reducing PBF (MD: -0.8%, p = .05, I2 = 0%).
Conclusion: The effects of exercise and nutrition interventions on SO are limited individually, especially regarding muscle mass, but their combination can yield optimal results. Additionally, physical therapy also demonstrated some potential.
Keywords: anthropometric indicators; non-pharmacological treatment; older people; physical capacity; physiology indicators; sarcopenic obesity; systematic review.
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