[Physical rehabilitation in sarcopenia: modern approaches. (A literature review)]

The number of middle-aged and elderly population is increasing every year. At the same time, the course of most chronic diseases worsens with age, which can be explained by significant changes in body composition, including redistribution and increase of fat mass and decrease in muscle and skeletal mass. Thus, a decrease in muscle mass becomes intrinsic for the body from the age of 40 and develops on average by 0.5-1.0% per year. The prevalence of patients with sarcopenia is estimated to be between 11 and 50% in different age groups of population: middle, elderly and senile. In addition, the decline in physical activity associated with the urbanization and automation of labor exacerbates the disease at a younger age, which predicts an increase in the number of such patients in the future.

To determine the role of physical rehabilitation in sarcopenia.

A systematic review including studies found in PubMed, MedLine, Scopus and Web of Science Core Collections databases for 2019-2022 was conducted. The used enrollment criteria were the following: systematic reviews, including cross-over or cohort studies targeting at persons aged from 40 to 90 years of both sexes, with available data on sarcopenia, its severe form or other combinations of physical performance markers called sarcopenia. The mandatory parameter for inclusion in the study was the presence of the effectiveness assessment of physical rehabilitation without limiting its parameters. The systematic review was performed in accordance with the recommendations of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020.

The best kind of training are 30-60-minute comprehensive methods with predominance of resistance exercises with minimum duration of the course of 3 months and frequency of 3 inconsistent in-person trainings per week under the supervision of a specialist for patients with sarcopenia in order to increase muscle strength and mass, as well as performance. The intensity should consist of the following parameters: start with fewer sets but more repetitions (12-15) with less intensity (55% of maximum) and move to more sets with less repetition (4-6) and greater intensity (>80% of maximum).

This article describes the parameters of exercises that are most effective in terms of muscle strength and mass increase and safe for patients. The compilation and further study of this complex in practice are needed.