Research
Mixed
Combined exercise and nutritional supplementation does not provide a clinically significant additional benefit to muscle mass, strength, or physical performance compared to exercise alone in older adults.
If you are over 60, focus on resistance training. You do not need to buy expensive protein powders, creatine, or amino acid supplements to see improvements in muscle mass, strength, or physical performance. Exercise alone is sufficient for the vast majority of older adults.
GoodRefutesHIGH confidence
Results indicate that physical exercise has a positive impact on muscle mass and muscle function in subjects aged 65 years and older. However, any interactive effect of dietary supplementation appears to be limited.
Why this rating
Based on a systematic review of 37 RCTs, though heterogeneity prevented meta-analysis.
Source
Nutrition and physical activity in the prevention and treatment of sarcopenia: systematic review
the IOF-ESCEO Sarcopenia Working Group et al. · Osteoporosis International · 2017
DOI 10.1007/s00198-017-3980-9
systematic_reviewCited 593×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
Related findings · Mixed
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