Abstract
SummaryThis systematic review examined the effect of exercise training interventions on physical fitness in adults with overweight or obesity and compared the effectiveness of different types of exercise training. Four electronic databases were searched. Articles were included if they described randomized controlled trials of exercise training interventions and their effect on maximal oxygen consumption or muscle strength in adults with overweight or obesity. Changes in outcome parameters were analyzed using random effects meta‐analyses for different training types (aerobic, resistance, combined aerobic plus resistance, and high‐intensity interval training). Eighty‐eight articles satisfied the inclusion criteria of which 66 (3964 participants) could be included in the meta‐analyses. All training types increased VO2max (mean difference 3.82 ml/min/kg (95% CI 3.17, 4.48), P < 0.00001; I 2 = 48%). In direct comparisons, resistance training was less effective in improving VO2max than aerobic training, HIIT was slightly more effective than aerobic training, and no difference between aerobic and combined aerobic plus resistance training was found. For muscle strength benefits, incorporation of resistance exercise in the training program is indicated. Exercise training increases VO2max and muscle strength in adults with overweight or obesity. Differences between training types should be weighed with other needs and preferences when health professionals advise on exercise training to improve physical fitness.
Highlights
In the general population, regular exercise is well-known to have beneficial effects on physical fitness, such as an increase in aerobic capacity and increased muscle strength, which are important for the ability to lead a physically active life and for health.[1]
In order to define the role of regular exercise in the management of adults with overweight or obesity, it is important to know what the effects on physical fitness are in this specific group of individuals
The meta-analysis showed that combined aerobic plus resistance training significantly improved VO2max (MD 4.57 ml/ min/kg, P = 0.0002)
Summary
Regular exercise is well-known to have beneficial effects on physical fitness, such as an increase in aerobic capacity and increased muscle strength, which are important for the ability to lead a physically active life and for health.[1]. Physical fitness (per kg body weight) is lower in individuals with than in those without overweight or obesity.[2,3] We started with a literature search of systematic reviews on this topic that were published over the last 10 years (2009–2019). This resulted in six reviews.[4,5,6,7,8,9]. The inclusion criteria of the review were not very strict (some normal-weight women were included; intervention and control groups differed for physical activity). The authors concluded that short (
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