Background Findings regarding the effects of resistance training (RT) on muscle strength, serum level of IGF-1, and its binding proteins are contradictory. To resolve this contradiction, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the effects of RT on muscle strength, the levels of serum IGF-1, and IGF-binding protein-3 in the elderly and aged. Materials and methods The PubMed, CINAHL, Medline, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases and reference lists of included studies were systematicallysearched toidentify randomizedcontrolled trials(RCTs)comparing subjectswho underwent RTand control individuals up to May 15, 2020. This study was performed following the Preferred Items for Reporting of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. We identified and analyzed 11 eligible trials in this meta-analysis. Results Pooled data displayed an overall significant elevation in IGF-1 (mean difference (MD): 17.34 ng/ml; 95% confidence interval(CI):7.23,27.46)andinmusclestrengthinlegpress(SMD:0.82;95%CI:0.30,1.34)andbenchpress(SMD:0.82;95% CI: 0.42, 1.23) following RT. By contrast, the pooled estimate showed a non-significant elevation in IGFBP-3 (MD: 0.13 ng/ml; 95% CI: − 39.39, 39.65). Subgroup analysis revealed that the elevation in serum IGF-1 levels after RT was significant only in women(MD:19.30ng/ml);moreover,itincreasedafterinterventiondurationsofboth>12weeks(MD:21.98ng/ml)andof≤12 weeks (MD: 15.31 ng/ml). Conclusion RTwasassociatedwithelevatedmusclestrength. Moreover,RTwascorrelatedwithincreasedserumlevelsofIGF-1 amongwomenandamongthosewhoreceivedthetrainingfor≤12weeksor>12weeks. Furtherstudiesarerequiredtoelucidate the mechanisms underlying the impact of RT on IGF-1, IGFBP-3, and muscle strength.