The effect of elastic-band resistance training on fecal microbiota and derived metabolites of aged individuals with possible sarcopenia

Background Individuals with possible sarcopenia exhibit altered microbiota profiles and poor intestinal metabolism. Exercise training is linked to changes in gut microbiota and has been proposed to enhance the quality of aging skeletal muscle. Aims In older adults with possible sarcopenia, the study aimed to determine if elastic-band resistance training modulates gut microbiota and its generated metabolites and investigate the underlying relationships with physical function. Methods Thirty-one volunteers with possible sarcopenia were randomly assigned to either the control group (CG, n = 17) or the intervention group (RG, n = 14), which underwent 24 weeks of elastic-band resistance training. Physical function, body composition, and blood and fecal samples were collected from each patient at baseline and 24 weeks. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to evaluate protein metabolism regulatory factors, targeted metabolomics was used to quantify short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels, and metagenomic sequencing was used to analyze the composition of the fecal microbiota. Results The gait speed (GS), arm curl test (ACT), 2-min step test (2MST), and timed up-and-go test (TUGT) all showed notable improvements in the RG. The RG also showed lower serum levels of tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF-α) and higher plasma concentrations of acetate and propionate. Following the intervention, the RG displayed decreased abundances of Eisenbergiella and Eggerthella and increased abundances of the genus Bacillus . Eggerthella abundance was inversely connected with 2MST performance, whereas the change in propionate level was positively correlated with 2MST, TUGT, GS, and appendicular skeletal muscle index (ASMI). Conclusion The elastic-band resistance training effectively improved physical function, modulates gut microbiota and SCFAs. The results revealed the physiological mechanisms by which gut microbiota and SCFAs regulate aging muscle health, providing scientific support for possible sarcopenia prevention and treatment via gut-muscle axis bidirectional crosstalk. Clinical trial registration https://www.chictr.org.cn/index.html .