Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40200135›Full record

SynthesisBMC geriatrics2025

Effects of protein supplementation on muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance in older adults with physical inactivity: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Liying Zhang, Gongxiang Liu, Xiaoli Huang, Fuqian He

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in BMC geriatrics, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
7citing papers in PubMed, 3 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

7 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Pooled it
  3. Pooled it
  4. Trial
  5. Review
  6. Review
  7. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Liying ZhangThe Center of Gerontology and Geriatrics, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan Province, Chengdu, 610041, China.
Gongxiang LiuThe Center of Gerontology and Geriatrics, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan Province, Chengdu, 610041, China.
Xiaoli HuangThe Center of Gerontology and Geriatrics, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan Province, Chengdu, 610041, China.
Fuqian HeThe Center of Gerontology and Geriatrics, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan Province, Chengdu, 610041, China. lotusmart_2007@126.com.

Funding

Health and Scientific Research for Cadres in Sichuan Province 2022-102Health and Scientific Research for Cadres in Sichuan Province 2024-105Health and Scientific Research for Cadres in Sichuan Province 2024-106Sichuan Provincial Science and Technology Support Program 2023YFS0246
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundMaintaining skeletal muscle mass and function in older adults is of paramount importance for preserving both quality of life and overall health. Exercise is essential for muscle maintenance; however, for older individuals with comorbidities, engaging in physical exercise may pose challenges due to decreased endurance and the inability to reach optimal exercise intensities. Several studies have investigated the effects of protein supplementation on muscle mass, strength, and physical performance in older adults. However, the results are inconsistent. The objective of this study was to systematically review and synthesize the effects of protein supplementation on muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance in physically inactive older adults.

methodsFour databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and the Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials) were systematically searched from inception to 31 January 2025. Two reviewers independently conducted the study screening, data extraction, risk of bias and GRADE assessments. In accordance with the PRISMA guidelines, the outcome data were synthesized using meta-analysis via RevMan5.4 software or a narrative method.

resultsEight data groups from six randomized controlled trials(RCTs) were included in the analysis, stratifying participants into three physical activity(PA) trajectories: sustained low PA (n= 1), transition to structured training from low PA (n= 4), and a shift from moderate to low PA (n= 3). Protein supplementation had no statistically significant effect on total lean body mass (p> 0.05). Furthermore, secondary muscle mass parameters showed negligible intervention benefits, whereas heterogeneous outcomes were observed across muscle strength and physical performance metrics.

conclusionsThe influence of protein on muscle mass was not significantly efficacious, and mixed results were shown for muscle strength and physical performance. Further well-designed studies are needed to determine the effectiveness of protein supplementation to maximize its potential benefits in older individuals with physical inactivity.

trial registrationThis study was registered at www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/(registration no. CRD42024504443).

Indexed as

Dietary ProteinsDietary SupplementsExerciseMuscle, SkeletalMuscle StrengthSedentary BehaviorAgedHumansPhysical Functional PerformanceRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicDietary ProteinsAgeingMuscle massMuscle strengthPhysical performanceProtein supplementation

Identifiers

PMID40200135
PMCPMC11978179

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.