Effects of resistance training on muscle strength, insulin-like growth factor-1, and insulin-like growth factor–binding protein-3 in healthy elderly subjects: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Findings regarding the effects of resistance training (RT) on muscle strength, serum level of IGF-1, and its binding proteins are contradictory. To resolve this contradiction, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the effects of RT on muscle strength, the levels of serum IGF-1, and IGF-binding protein-3 in the elderly and aged. The PubMed, CINAHL, Medline, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases and reference lists of included studies were systematically searched to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing subjects who underwent RT and control individuals up to May 15, 2020. This study was performed following the Preferred Items for Reporting of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. We identified and analyzed 11 eligible trials in this meta-analysis. Pooled data displayed an overall significant elevation in IGF-1 (mean difference (MD): 17.34 ng/ml; 95% confidence interval (CI): 7.23, 27.46) and in muscle strength in leg press (SMD: 0.82; 95% CI: 0.30, 1.34) and bench press (SMD: 0.82; 95% CI: 0.42, 1.23) following RT. By contrast, the pooled estimate showed a non-significant elevation in IGFBP-3 (MD: 0.13 ng/ml; 95% CI: − 39.39, 39.65). Subgroup analysis revealed that the elevation in serum IGF-1 levels after RT was significant only in women (MD: 19.30 ng/ml); moreover, it increased after intervention durations of both > 12 weeks (MD: 21.98 ng/ml) and of ≤ 12 weeks (MD: 15.31 ng/ml). RT was associated with elevated muscle strength. Moreover, RT was correlated with increased serum levels of IGF-1 among women and among those who received the training for ≤ 12 weeks or > 12 weeks. Further studies are required to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the impact of RT on IGF-1, IGFBP-3, and muscle strength.