Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41305674›Full record

SynthesisNutrients2025

The Role of HMB Supplementation in Enhancing the Effects of Resistance Training in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on Muscle Quality, Body Composition, and Physical Function.

Alberto García-Alonso, Juan Luis Sánchez-González, Víctor Navarro-López, Roberto Méndez-Sánchez, Luis Polo-Ferrero

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Nutrients, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed, 2 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

3 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Pooled it
  3. Article
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

5 authors.

Alberto García-AlonsoDepartment of Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain.
Juan Luis Sánchez-GonzálezInstitute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), 37007 Salamanca, Spain.ORCID 0000-0002-4791-6513
Víctor Navarro-LópezDepartment of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, 28922 Madrid, Spain.ORCID 0000-0003-1362-6312
Roberto Méndez-SánchezDepartment of Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain.ORCID 0000-0002-4486-4076
Luis Polo-FerreroDepartment of Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain.ORCID 0000-0002-8349-0441

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

BACKGROUND/

objectivesResistance training (RT) is a key strategy to counteract age-related declines in muscle strength and physical function. β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB) has been proposed as a complementary supplement to enhance these adaptations. However, the additional effects of RT plus HMB (RT+HMB) compared with RT alone remain unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effects of RT+HMB versus RT alone on body composition, muscle quality (MQ), and physical function in older adults.

methodsFollowing PRISMA guidelines (PROSPERO: CRD420251144810), six databases (PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect) were searched up to July 2025. Randomized controlled trials comparing RT+HMB with RT alone were included. Methodological quality was assessed with the PEDro scale and risk of bias using Cochrane RoB 2. Pooled standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.

resultsTen trials (

conclusionsHMB supplementation combined with RT may yield modest improvements in functional performance, particularly handgrip strength and overall physical function, without statically significant effects in body composition and MQ. Further high-quality RCTs are warranted to confirm its clinical relevance.

Indexed as

Body CompositionDietary SupplementsMuscle, SkeletalMuscle StrengthPhysical Functional PerformanceResistance TrainingValeratesAgedFemaleHand StrengthHumansMaleRandomized Controlled Trials as Topicbeta-hydroxyisovaleric acidValeratesagingbody compositionresistance trainingβ-hydroxy β-methylbutyrate

Identifiers

PMID41305674
PMCPMC12655442

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
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.