Abstract: Objective: To analyze the effect of elastic band resistance exercise on muscle mass, muscle strength and physical performance in the elderly at risk of sarcopenia. Methods: A total of 60 elderly people who met the inclusion criteria and were assessed as at risk of sarcopenia in a nursing home were selected. According to the different oors, we divided them into the experimental group and the control group with 31 in the experimental group and 29 in the control group. The control group received routine care, while the experimental group also took part in elastic band resistance exercise training 3 times a week for 12 weeks (36 training sessions in total). The body composition analyzer, hand-dynamometer, five-times sit-to-stand test, timed up and go test and Berg balance scale were used to evaluate and compare muscle mass, muscle strehgth and physical performance of 2 groups befere and after intervention. Results: After the intervention, 26 of the 31 subjects in the experimental group finished 33 or more training sessions and the exercise compliance rate was 83.87%. During the intervention, no exercise-related adverse events in the subjects of experimental group occurred. After 12 weeks of intervention, the total muscle mass, skeletal muscle index, grip strength and the score of Berg balance scale in the experimental group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05 respectively). The time of five-times sit-to-stand test and timed up and go test in the experimental group was less than that in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Elastic band resistance exercise is feasible in the elderly at risk of sarcopenia, which can increase muscle mass and muscle strength of the elderly at risk of sarcopenia and improve their physical performance.

Key words: sarcopenia; resistance exercise; physical performance; nursing home