{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,17]],"date-time":"2026-07-17T18:02:55Z","timestamp":1784311375949,"version":"3.55.0"},"reference-count":54,"publisher":"Frontiers Media SA","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,17]],"date-time":"2026-07-17T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1784246400000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["frontiersin.org"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Front. Public Health"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Sarcopenia in older adults has become a prominent public health challenge that jeopardizes their health and capacity for independent living. Characterized by the decline or loss of muscle mass, strength, and physical function, this condition leads to impaired activities of daily living and diminished quality of life in affected individuals. Conventional exercise interventions yield suboptimal improvements and suffer from low patient adherence. In contrast, functional training, which is designed to align with the daily living scenarios of older adults, can enhance their muscle strength, flexibility, coordination, and other physical capacities, thereby effectively ameliorating multiple physical functions in older adults with sarcopenia. This mini review synthesizes the mechanisms, benefits, and clinical implications of functional training across various physiological and functional systems in older adults with sarcopenia, and explores future research and development directions. It aims to provide a reference for the design and implementation of personalized and long-term intervention studies in this field.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3389\/fpubh.2026.1829227","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,17]],"date-time":"2026-07-17T17:05:49Z","timestamp":1784307949000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Functional training for sarcopenia in older adults: mechanisms, benefits, and clinical implications"],"prefix":"10.3389","volume":"14","author":[{"given":"Yueying","family":"Chen","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Physical Education and Training, Capital University of Physical Education and Sports","place":["Haidian, Beijing, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Yingxu","family":"Pan","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Physical Education and Training, Capital University of Physical Education and Sports","place":["Haidian, Beijing, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1965","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,17]]},"reference":[{"key":"B1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"105350","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jamda.2024.105350","article-title":"Prognostic value of sarcopenia definitions and outcomes consortium criteria in older patients with heart failure","volume":"26","author":"Nakade","year":"2025","journal-title":"JAMDA"},{"key":"B2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"zwaf115","DOI":"10.1093\/eurjpc\/zwaf115","article-title":"Evolution of sarcopenia status and risk of incident cardiovascular disease","volume":"27","author":"Bing","year":"2025","journal-title":"Eur J Prev Cardiol"},{"key":"B3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"155533","DOI":"10.1016\/j.metabol.2023.155533","article-title":"Epidemiology of sarcopenia: Prevalence, risk factors, and consequences","volume":"144","author":"Yuan","year":"2023","journal-title":"Metabolism"},{"key":"B4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1415398","DOI":"10.3389\/fpubh.2024.1415398","article-title":"The prevalence of sarcopenia and risk factors in the older adult in China: a systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"12","author":"Meng","year":"2024","journal-title":"Front Public Health"},{"key":"B5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"6981","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-025-91644-2","article-title":"Effects of 12-week whole-body vibration training versus resistance training in older people with sarcopenia","volume":"15","author":"Zhuang","year":"2025","journal-title":"Sci Rep"},{"key":"B6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"187","DOI":"10.1016\/j.clnu.2025.06.007","article-title":"Therapeutic advances in sarcopenia management: From traditional interventions to personalized medicine","volume":"51","author":"Liu","year":"2025","journal-title":"Clin Nutr"},{"key":"B7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"570","DOI":"10.1186\/s12877-025-06212-0","article-title":"Effects of different exercise modalities on balance performance in healthy older adults: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials","volume":"25","author":"Zhang","year":"2025","journal-title":"BMC Geriatr"},{"key":"B8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"548","DOI":"10.1016\/j.gerinurse.2024.10.019","article-title":"The effect of functional exercise program on physical functioning in older adults aged 60 years or more: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials","volume":"60","author":"Niyazi","year":"2024","journal-title":"Geriatr Nurs"},{"key":"B9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"83","DOI":"10.3390\/geriatrics8050083","article-title":"Functional training and dual-task training improve the executive function of older women","volume":"8","author":"Pantoja-Cardoso","year":"2023","journal-title":"Geriatrics"},{"key":"B10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1177\/00469580251348133","article-title":"Aging with strength: functional training to support independence and quality of life","volume":"62","author":"Brogno","year":"2025","journal-title":"Inquiry"},{"key":"B11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"98","DOI":"10.1186\/s12986-025-00993-2","article-title":"Muscle-building interventions improve glucose metabolism in elderly type 2 diabetic patients with sarcopenic obesity","volume":"22","author":"Han","year":"2025","journal-title":"Nutr Metab"},{"key":"B12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1927","DOI":"10.2147\/CIA.S552924","article-title":"Effects of multicomponent otago exercise program with added resistance training on sarcopenia in pre-frailty older adults in nursing homes: a randomized controlled trial","volume":"20","author":"Pan","year":"2025","journal-title":"Clin Interv Aging"},{"key":"B13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1167957","DOI":"10.3389\/fneur.2023.1167957","article-title":"Effects of 12 weeks of Tai Chi on neuromuscular responses and postural control in older adults with sarcopenia: a randomized controlled trial","volume":"14","author":"Huang","year":"2023","journal-title":"Front Neurol"},{"key":"B14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2459818","DOI":"10.1080\/07853890.2025.2459818","article-title":"Home-based strength and balance exercises for fall prevention among older individuals of advanced age: a randomized controlled single-blind study","volume":"57","author":"Zhou","year":"2025","journal-title":"Ann Med"},{"key":"B15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"789","DOI":"10.1186\/s12877-025-06471-x","article-title":"Impact of a functional gait training program as a complementary strategy to improve physical function in older adults: a randomized clinical trial","volume":"25","author":"Alegre-Tamariz","year":"2025","journal-title":"BMC Geriatr"},{"key":"B16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"425","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jbmt.2023.05.014","article-title":"Effects of three physical exercise modalities on respiratory function of older adults with Parkinson's disease: a randomized clinical trial","volume":"36","author":"Duarte","year":"2023","journal-title":"J Bodyw Mov Ther"},{"key":"B17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"290","DOI":"10.1002\/agm2.12256","article-title":"Physical activity interventions in older adults with a cognitive impairment: A critical review of reviews","volume":"6","author":"de Rond\u00e3o","year":"2023","journal-title":"Aging Medicine"},{"key":"B18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"32","DOI":"10.1186\/s11556-025-00369-8","article-title":"Is functional training functional? a systematic review of its effects in community-dwelling older adults","volume":"21","author":"Liu","year":"2024","journal-title":"Eur Rev Aging Phys Act"},{"key":"B19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1196426","DOI":"10.3389\/fphys.2023.1196426","article-title":"Advances in exercise to alleviate sarcopenia in older adults by improving mitochondrial dysfunction","volume":"14","author":"Zhu","year":"2023","journal-title":"Front Physiol"},{"key":"B20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2400235","DOI":"10.1002\/adbi.202400235","article-title":"Prospective Intervention Strategies Between Skeletal Muscle Health and Mitochondrial Changes During Aging","volume":"9","author":"Zhang","year":"2025","journal-title":"Adv Biol"},{"key":"B21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"15039","DOI":"10.3390\/ijms232315039","article-title":"Inflammaging: Implications in Sarcopenia","volume":"23","author":"Antu\u00f1a","year":"2022","journal-title":"Int J Mol Sci"},{"key":"B22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1733798","DOI":"10.3389\/fphar.2026.1733798","article-title":"Chronic inflammation as a driving factor for sarcopenia: an update on pathophysiology and future therapeutic targets","volume":"17","author":"Liang","year":"2026","journal-title":"Front Pharmacol"},{"key":"B23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1597222","DOI":"10.3389\/fimmu.2025.1597222","article-title":"Resistance training alleviates muscle atrophy and muscle dysfunction by reducing inflammation and regulating compromised autophagy in aged skeletal muscle","volume":"16","author":"Cao","year":"2025","journal-title":"Front Immunol"},{"key":"B24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1037464","DOI":"10.3389\/fpubh.2022.1037464","article-title":"Effects of different intervention combined with resistance training on musculoskeletal health in older male adults with sarcopenia: a systematic review","volume":"10","author":"Carcel\u00e9n-Fraile","year":"2023","journal-title":"Front Public Health"},{"key":"B25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1762825","DOI":"10.3389\/fendo.2025.1762825","article-title":"Unraveling the metabolic pathways between atherosclerosis and sarcopenia","volume":"16","author":"Yu","year":"2026","journal-title":"Front Endocrinol"},{"key":"B26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"13177","DOI":"10.4081\/ejtm.2025.13177","article-title":"Impact of physical activity and nutritional interventions on skeletal muscle atrophy","volume":"35","author":"Arif","year":"2025","journal-title":"Eur J Transl Myol"},{"key":"B27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1592491","DOI":"10.3389\/fendo.2025.1592491","article-title":"Exerkines and myokines in aging sarcopenia","volume":"16","author":"Wang","year":"2025","journal-title":"Front Endocrinol"},{"key":"B28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1218","DOI":"10.3390\/foods12061218","article-title":"Increasing muscle mass in elders through diet and exercise: a literature review of recent RCTs","volume":"12","author":"Voulgaridou","year":"2023","journal-title":"Foods"},{"key":"B29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1650","DOI":"10.1113\/EP091937","article-title":"Mitigating disuse-induced skeletal muscle atrophy in ageing: resistance exercise as a critical countermeasure","volume":"109","author":"McKendry","year":"2024","journal-title":"Exp Physiol"},{"key":"B30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"100138","DOI":"10.1016\/j.crphys.2024.100138","article-title":"From molecular to physical function: the aging trajectory","volume":"8","author":"Janssen","year":"2025","journal-title":"Curr Res Physiol"},{"key":"B31","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"104992","DOI":"10.1016\/j.yexmp.2025.104992","article-title":"Research progress of sarcopenia: Diagnostic advancements, molecular mechanisms, and therapeutic strategies","volume":"143","author":"Wang","year":"2025","journal-title":"Exp Mol Pathol"},{"key":"B32","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"341","DOI":"10.1016\/j.smhs.2025.02.002","article-title":"Episodic denervation as a driver of loss of skeletal muscle redox homeostasis and muscle weakness in sarcopenia: Possible amelioration by exercise","volume":"7","author":"Jackson","year":"2025","journal-title":"Sports Medicine and Health Science"},{"key":"B33","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1633835","DOI":"10.3389\/fnins.2025.1633835","article-title":"Exercise, circadian rhythms, and muscle regeneration: a path to healthy aging","volume":"19","author":"Su","year":"2025","journal-title":"Front Neurosci"},{"key":"B34","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"58","DOI":"10.1186\/s13102-024-00849-x","article-title":"The effects of TRX suspension training on sarcopenic biomarkers and functional abilities in elderlies with sarcopenia: a controlled clinical trial","volume":"16","author":"Rezaei","year":"2024","journal-title":"BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil"},{"key":"B35","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"794","DOI":"10.1002\/jcsm.13173","article-title":"Effects of a 2-year exercise training on neuromuscular system health in older individuals with low muscle function","volume":"14","author":"Monti","year":"2023","journal-title":"J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle"},{"key":"B36","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"15491","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph192315491","article-title":"The Effect of Resistance Training on the Rehabilitation of older adults with Sarcopenia: A Meta-Analysis","volume":"19","author":"Zhao","year":"2022","journal-title":"Int J Environ Res Public Health"},{"key":"B37","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2113","DOI":"10.1186\/s12889-023-17014-7","article-title":"Effectiveness of elastic band training and group-based dance on physical functional performance in older women with sarcopenia: a pilot study","volume":"23","author":"Vald\u00e9s-Badilla","year":"2023","journal-title":"BMC Public Health"},{"key":"B38","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2317","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-018-20677-7","article-title":"Effects of elastic band exercise on lean mass and physical capacity in older women with sarcopenic obesity: a randomized controlled trial","volume":"8","author":"Liao","year":"2018","journal-title":"Sci Rep"},{"key":"B39","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"185","DOI":"10.31083\/j.rcm2505185","article-title":"Effects of 12-week Circuit Exercise Intervention on Blood Pressure, Vascular Function, and Inflammatory Cytokines in Obese Older Women with Sarcopenia","volume":"25","author":"Jung","year":"2024","journal-title":"Rev Cardiovasc Med"},{"key":"B40","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1581","DOI":"10.2147\/CIA.S473081","article-title":"Graded progressive home-based resistance combined with aerobic exercise in community-dwelling older adults with sarcopenia: a randomized controlled trial","volume":"19","author":"Liu","year":"2024","journal-title":"Clin Interv Aging"},{"key":"B41","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"838","DOI":"10.23736\/S1973-9087.22.07612-2","article-title":"Beneficial effects of walking-based home program for improving cardio-respiratory performance and physical activity in sarcopenic older people: a randomized controlled trial","volume":"58","author":"Yuenyongchaiwat","year":"2022","journal-title":"Eur J Phys Rehabil Med"},{"key":"B42","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"9330","DOI":"10.18632\/aging.202705","article-title":"Effects of multi-domain lifestyle interventions on sarcopenia measures and blood biomarkers: secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial of community-dwelling pre-frail and frail older adults","volume":"13","author":"Lu","year":"2021","journal-title":"Aging"},{"key":"B43","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"13471","DOI":"10.18632\/aging.205254","article-title":"Enhanced serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-\u03b1, interleukin-1\u03b2, and\u22126 in sarcopenia: alleviation through exercise and nutrition intervention","volume":"15","author":"Chang","year":"2023","journal-title":"Aging"},{"key":"B44","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"480","DOI":"10.3390\/jcm7120480","article-title":"The effects of group and home-based exercise programs in elderly with sarcopenia: a randomized controlled trial","volume":"7","author":"Tsekoura","year":"2018","journal-title":"J Clin Med"},{"key":"B45","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"100016","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jnha.2023.100016","article-title":"The association between sarcopenia and functional disability in older adults","volume":"28","author":"Zhou","year":"2024","journal-title":"J Nutr Health Aging"},{"key":"B46","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1123\/japa.2020-0070","article-title":"Does a Multicomponent Exercise Program Improve Physical Fitness in Older Adults? Findings From a 5-Year Longitudinal Study","volume":"29","author":"Gon\u00e7alves","year":"2021","journal-title":"J Aging Phys Act"},{"key":"B47","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"273","DOI":"10.1007\/s10433-019-00498-x","article-title":"Tai Chi and whole-body vibrating therapy in sarcopenic men in advanced old age: a clinical randomized controlled trial","volume":"16","author":"Zhu","year":"2019","journal-title":"Eur J Ageing"},{"key":"B48","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2294","DOI":"10.20944\/preprints202306.0738.v1","article-title":"Effects of Physical Activity Program on Body Composition, Physical Performance, and Neuromuscular Strategies during Walking in Older Adults with Sarcopenic Obesity: Randomized Controlled Trial","volume":"11","author":"Ferhi","year":"2023","journal-title":"Healthcare"},{"key":"B49","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1386","DOI":"10.3390\/jcm9051386","article-title":"Effects of a Multicomponent Exercise Program in Physical Function and Muscle Mass in Sarcopenic\/Pre-Sarcopenic Adults","volume":"9","author":"Makizako","year":"2020","journal-title":"J Clin Med"},{"key":"B50","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1516481","DOI":"10.3389\/fragi.2025.1516481","article-title":"A scoping review of the feasibility, usability, and efficacy of digital interventions in older adults concerning physical activity and\/or exercise","volume":"6","author":"Berry","year":"2025","journal-title":"Front Aging"},{"key":"B51","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e76153","DOI":"10.2196\/76153","article-title":"The Importance of Telerehabilitation and Future Directions for the Field","volume":"12","author":"Munce","year":"2025","journal-title":"JMIR Rehabil Assist Technol"},{"key":"B52","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"586","DOI":"10.1186\/s12877-024-05188-7","article-title":"Proposal and validation of a new approach in tele-rehabilitation with 3D human posture estimation: a randomized controlled trial in older individuals with sarcopenia","volume":"24","author":"He","year":"2024","journal-title":"BMC Geriatr"},{"key":"B53","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e59468","DOI":"10.2196\/59468","article-title":"Assessing the Clinical Effectiveness of an Exergame-Based Exercise Training Program Using Ring Fit Adventure to Prevent and Postpone Frailty and Sarcopenia Among Older Adults in Rural Long-Term Care Facilities: Randomized Controlled Trial","volume":"26","author":"Tuan","year":"2024","journal-title":"J Med Internet Res"},{"key":"B54","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e085474","DOI":"10.1136\/bmjopen-2024-085474","article-title":"Effects of aquatic exercise compared with land-based exercise on the body composition and function of older adults with sarcopenia: protocol for a randomised controlled trial","volume":"15","author":"Sun","year":"2025","journal-title":"BMJ Open"}],"container-title":["Frontiers in Public Health"],"original-title":[],"link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fpubh.2026.1829227\/full","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,17]],"date-time":"2026-07-17T17:05:50Z","timestamp":1784307950000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fpubh.2026.1829227\/full"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,17]]},"references-count":54,"alternative-id":["10.3389\/fpubh.2026.1829227"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fpubh.2026.1829227","relation":{},"ISSN":["2296-2565"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2296-2565","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,17]]},"article-number":"1829227"}}