Optimizing Elastic Band Resistance Training for Metabolic Syndrome Components in Older Adults: A Systematic Review,
Angel Saez-Berlanga1, Javier Gene-Morales1, Carlos Babiloni-Lopez2
1Research Group in Prevention in Exercise and Sport, University of Valencia, Valencia; Department of Physical Education and Sports, University of Valencia, Valencia.
Objectives:
To evaluate the effects of elastic band resistance training (EBRT) on metabolic syndrome components in older adults and to explore associations between training parameters and body fat percentage using meta-regression, following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews CRD42023466027).
Data Sources:
Web of Science, PubMed (MEDLINE), EMBASE, EBSCO (SPORTDiscus; CINAHL), and SCOPUS were searched through September 2024.
Study Selection:
Randomized controlled trials comparing EBRT with nonactive controls in physically independent, sedentary adults ≥65 years with metabolic syndrome or at cardiometabolic risk.
Data Extraction:
Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane tool and the TesTex scale. Body composition, blood pressure, lipid profile, and fasting glucose were analyzed. Mean differences (MDs) were pooled for outcomes reported in comparable units, whereas standardized mean differences (SMDs) were used for body fat percentage and fat mass, with back-translation for interpretability. Meta-regressions explored study-level training covariates.
Data Synthesis:
Twenty-three trials (n=1134; age=70.4±4.5; 92.4% women) were included. EBRT reduced body fat percentage (standardized mean difference=-0.47 [-0.65 to -0.30], equivalent to -1.44 % [-2.00 to -0.92]), and fat mass (standardized mean difference=-0.28 [-0.54 to -0.02], equivalent to -1.57 kg [-3.08 to -0.11]). EBRT reduced total cholesterol (MD=-18.21 mg/dL [-29.82 to -6.61]), low-density lipoprotein (MD=-11.03 mg/dL [(-17.44 to -4.62]), triglycerides (MD=-11.98 mg/dL [-23.16 to -0.79]), fasting glucose (MD=-9.02 mg/dL [-15.48 to -2.56]), systolic (MD=-7.73 mmHg [-12.75 to -2.71]), and diastolic blood pressure (MD=-5.45 mmHg [(-7.92 to -2.99]) while increasing high-density lipoprotein (MD=2.42 mg/dL [0.42-4.43)]). Heterogeneity varied by outcome, with minimal publication bias. Meta-regression identified exploratory associations between greater fat reductions and program characteristics.
Conclusions:
EBRT is associated with clinically meaningful improvements in cardiometabolic risk factors in older adults at risk of metabolic syndrome. Study-level associations with adiposity are exploratory and may inform future trials.
