The effects of resistance training on myostatin and follistatin in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Mousa Khalafi, Behzad Aria, Michael E Symonds, Sara K Rosenkranz

Journal: Physiology & behavior 2023;269():114272

PMID: 37328021

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Abstract

INTRODUCTION AND AIM

Myostatin and follistatin are the main hormones for regulating muscle mass, and previous research suggests they are modulated by resistance training. We therefore performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the impact of resistance training on circulating myostatin and follistatin in adults.

METHODS

A search was conducted in PubMed and Web of science from inception until October 2022 to identify original studies investigating the effects of resistance training compared with controls that did not exercise. Standardized mean differences and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using random effects models.

RESULTS

A total 26 randomized studies, including 36 interventions, and involving 768 participants (aged ∼18 - 82 years), were included in the meta-analysis. Resistance training effectively decreased myostatin [-1.31 (95% CI -1.74 - -0.88, p = 0.001, 26 studies] and increased follistatin [2.04 (95% CI: 1.51 - 2.52), p = 0.001, 14 studies]. Subgroup analyses revealed a significant decrease in myostatin and increase in follistatin regardless of age.

CONCLUSION

Resistance training in adults is effective for reducing myostatin and increasing follistatin which may contribute to the beneficial effects of resistance training on muscle mass and metabolic outcomes.

Address: Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, University of Kashan, Kashan, Iran. Electronic address: [email protected].; Department of Physical Education and Sports Science, School of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran.; Centre for Perinatal Research, Academic Unit of Population and Lifespan Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, NG72UH Nottingham, United Kingdom.; Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, United States of America.

DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2023.114272

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MeSH Terms: Humans, Adult, Aged, Myostatin, Muscle, Skeletal, Follistatin, Resistance Training, Exercise