Effects of combined protein and exercise interventions on bone health in middle-aged and older adults — A systematic literature review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors' conclusion
Based on our findings, no robust conclusions can be drawn on whether combining protein and exercise interventions is more beneficial for bone health than one component alone. Sufficiently powered studies with longer duration are required to clarify these questions
Study context
- Population
- Middle-aged and older adults
- Comparison
- Combined protein and exercise interventions vs exercise alone and vs protein alone
- Outcome
- BMC or BMD
Methodological detailspairwise random-effects meta-analyses, Cochrane RoB2, GRADE, Medline, CINAHL, CENTRAL, Web of Science and SPORTDiscus searched until 24th January 2023
- Pairwise random-effects meta-analyses
- Cochrane RoB2
- GRADE
- Medline, CINAHL, CENTRAL, Web of Science and SPORTDiscus searched until 24th January 2023
Pooled result
As reported in the abstract
BMC, combined protein supplementation + exercise vs exercise alone
Bone mineral content (BMC): little to no intervention effect
WMD 0.03 kg; 95% CI - 0.00 to 0.05 (95% CI)
Further pooled results
| Outcome | WMD (kg) (95% CI) | |
|---|---|---|
| BMC, sensitivity analysis restricted to milk-protein supplementation + exercisevs exercise alone4 RCTs; IG = 71/CG = 71; I2 = 0.0%; low CoE | 0.01 (- 0.01 to 0.03) | |
| −0.0200.020.04Difference, kg (linear scale) |
BMD, protein + exercise vs exercise alone
- No meta-analysis possible (2 RCTs)
Total or regional BMD, protein + exercise vs protein alone
- Results inconclusive (2 RCTs); no RCT on BMC identified
Original publication
Effects of combined protein and exercise interventions on bone health in middle-aged and older adults — A systematic literature review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Osteoporos Int. Published 7 February 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →