Elastic Band Training on Body Composition in Healthy Middle-Aged and Elderly People: A Meta-Analysis

Introduction: Elastic band training (EBT) has been utilized in the health, rehabilitation and fitness sector, this study aimed to report the latest and largest pooled analysis to illustrate the impact of EBT on healthy middle age and elderly people's body fat. Methods: This study performed a systematic literature search using PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science up to June 2023. Outcomes measured were body weight, body fat, fat-free mass, body fat percentage, waist circumstance, TC, TG, HDL-C and LDL-C. Results: A total of 18 eligible articles involving 428 participants were included for the evidence synthesis. Long-term EBT can significantly reduce waist circumstance (WMD: −3.33; 95% CI: −6.54, −0.14; p = 0.04), body fat percentage (WMD: −1.50; 95% CI: −3.01, 0.00; p = 0.05), TC (WMD: −14.90; 95% CI: −22.94, −6.87; p = 0.0003), LDL-C (WMD: −14.37; 95% CI: −21.84, −6.90; p = 0.0002) and increase fat free mass (WMD: 0.47; 95% CI: 0.16, 0.78; p = 0.003), HDL-C (WMD: 3.10; 95% CI: 0.05, 6.16; p = 0.05) in middle-aged and elderly people. Conclusions: Given the heterogeneity and potential for bias, participants should choose appropriate exercise timing and intensity based on their experience and physical factors.