Resistance Exercise and Lower Limb Muscle Strength in Older Adults: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Abstract

Introduction: Sarcopenia, characterized by progressive declines in muscle mass, strength, and function, is common among older adults and contributes to frailty and loss of independence. Resistance exercise is widely recognized as an effective intervention to mitigate these effects by enhancing cellular metabolism and musculoskeletal function.

Methods: This quasi-experimental study employed a pre-test–post-test control group design. A total of 28 participants from the Amal Bakti Abdie Huffadz Foundation were recruited through total sampling, with 13 allocated to the experimental group and 15 to the control group. The intervention consisted of 12 resistance exercise sessions delivered over six weeks, including five exercise types performed in three sets of 10 repetitions. Muscle mass was assessed using the Karada Scan, while lower limb strength was measured with the Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test (5xSTS). No clinical trial registration or external funding was obtained.

Results: Paired-sample t-tests revealed significant improvements in both muscle mass and lower limb strength in the experimental group (p = 0.000, p < 0.05) between baseline and post-intervention measurements.

Conclusion: Resistance exercise significantly enhances lower limb muscle mass and strength in older adults with sarcopenia. These findings highlight the importance of structured resistance training programs in geriatric care to counteract age-related musculoskeletal decline.