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January 1, 2024The World Journal of Men s HealthOpen Access

Sex Differences in Effects of Exercise on Physical Function in Aging: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

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Key result

Following exercise interventions in older adults, males achieved significantly greater improvements in upper body strength compared to females (SMD -0.40).

Why the study?

To synthesize and determine whether sex differences exist in physical function following exercise interventions in older adults.

Are there sex differences in physical function improvements following exercise interventions in older adults?

Population

20,133 older adults across 19 studies

Comparison

Exercise intervention outcomes in males vs females

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective trials

Authors

RFRubén Fernández‐RodríguezVMVicente Martínez‐VizcaínoSRSara Reina‐Gutiérrez

Discussion

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Overview

May support sex-tailored exercise prescriptions in older adults; first quantitative synthesis, leaves open optimal dose and type by sex.

Study Design

Type

Systematic Review (n=20,133)

Structured PICO

Are there sex differences in physical function improvements following exercise interventions in older adults?

P
Population
20,133 older adults (mean age ≥60 years, 33.7% female) included in 19 prospective trials evaluating sex differences in physical function following exercise interventions.
I
Intervention
Exercise interventions (aerobic, strength, or combined) of varying doses and lengths (1 to 48 weeks).
C
Comparator
Sex-based comparison (males vs. females) of pre-post changes following the same exercise intervention.
O
Outcome
Sex differences in physical function (upper body strength, lower body strength, cardiorespiratory fitness, motor fitness, and flexibility) measured by standardized mean differences (SMDs).surrogate

Main Result

Standardized Mean Difference: -0.4 (95% CI -0.71–-0.09)

Older males and females exhibit different physical function adaptations to exercise, with males gaining more strength and cardiorespiratory fitness, and females gaining more motor fitness.

Limitations

  • Limited number of RCTs included (n=5, 25%)
  • High diversity in participant characteristics, and in the type and length of exercise interventions
  • High heterogeneity levels in several analyses
  • Lack of data on the pre-post correlation of the included studies
  • Confounding bias due to the lack of adjusted baseline training status
  • Scarcity of studies for flexibility and some subgroup analyses
  • Small number of prospective trials for flexibility and trunk muscle strength

Cite This Study

Fernández‐Rodríguez et al. (2024) conducted a systematic review in Aging (n=20,133). Exercise interventions (Males) vs. Exercise interventions (Females) was evaluated on Upper body strength (SMD -0.40, 95% CI -0.71 to -0.09). Following exercise interventions in older adults, males achieved significantly greater improvements in upper body strength compared to females (SMD -0.40).

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a7ee7ef784326906f0fb9cchttps://doi.org/10.5534/wjmh.230257
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