Sarcopenia is defined as "a loss of muscle protein mass, function, and quality that accompanies advancing age." (Zinna, 2003). Muscle weakness associated with this disease is believed to contribute to physical frailty, functional impairments, and loss of independence. The study used showed that after 3 months of PRT there was an increase in mixed muscle and the myosin heavy chain synthesis rate.

Cancer cachexia in patients with progressive tumor growth is associated with muscle wasting and may deplete up to 80% of muscle mass. The first study reviewed was on electrically stimulated muscles in mice implanted with a tumor. Found here was that PRT increased muscle protein synthesis. In a second study, breast cancer patients showed maintenance of physical function and reduced fatigue with prescribed PRT.

Chronic renal insufficiency is often associated with protein-restricted diets to delay the end stages of the disease. Subjects given PRT increased maximum voluntary upper- and lower-body muscle strength. Osteoarthritis is one of the leading conditions associated with muscle weakness and wasting. Participants in the study that had the lowest activities of daily living disability risk were the ones with the highest exercise compliance.

Rheumatoid arthritis is associated with inflammation of the membrane lining causing pain that limits joint movement and physical activity. Exercise therapy produced muscle maximum voluntary isometric strength improvement and participants' ability to activate that motor nerves maximally improved. HIV/AIDS is often accompanied by the loss of lean body mass and muscle protein. PRT was found to improve physical function, increase body cell mass and muscle mass, and reduce body fat.

If patients with chronic wasting conditions are willing and capable of resistance and aerobic exercise training, they can increase their muscle protein mass and strength. These benefits were even found in low- to moderate-intensity exercises.