Impact of GH substitution on exercise capacity and muscle strength in GH-deficient adults: a meta-analysis of blinded, placebo-controlled trials.

Background: Several but not all trials suggest that GH replacement in GH-deficient adults improves aerobic exercise capacity, whereas its effect on muscle strength is more dubious. However, a denominator of these studies is a low sample size.

Objective: We systematically reviewed and analysed all randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials on the effects of GH administration on aerobic exercise capacity and muscle strength in GH-deficient adults.