Approach to sarcopenia in older adults: a systematic review of dietary and exercise interventions in the primary care setting

Abstract

Abstract Background/objectives Population aging presents challenges for society and healthcare, notably in preventing sarcopenia, a condition that impairs older adults’ quality of life and functionality. This article reviews the current literature on dietary and exercise interventions to evaluate their effectiveness in managing sarcopenia and explore their integration in primary care. Methods A systematic review was conducted under PRISMA guidelines by searching PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov, Embase, and the Cochrane Library via MeSH terms and the PICOS criteria. The analysis focused on randomized studies involving adults over 65 years of age that assessed nutritional and exercise interventions delivered in primary care settings. Results Six studies, encompassing 444 participants in experimental groups and 226 in control groups, met the inclusion criteria. Combined interventions, physical exercise paired with nutritional supplementation, demonstrated notable improvements in muscle strength, physical function, and body composition. However, the results varied depending on the study design and adherence rates. Conclusions Multidimensional approaches within primary care show promising potential for slowing sarcopenia progression and enhancing quality of life among older adults. Despite encouraging findings, limited research in this area signals the need for further studies emphasizing personalized, sustainable strategies to optimize clinical implementation.

The authors' abstract, as published at the source. BMC Geriatrics, 2026 · DOI ↗