Abstract
BackgroundThere has been a rise in research into obesity prevention and treatment programmes in youth, including the effectiveness of resistance-based exercise. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to examine the effect of resistance training interventions on weight status in youth.MethodsMeta-analysis followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and was registered on PROSPERO (registration number CRD42016038365). Eligible studies were from English language peer-reviewed published articles. Searches were conducted in seven databases between May 2016 and June 2017. Studies were included that examined the effect of resistance training on weight status in youth, with participants of school age (5–18 years).ResultsThere were 24 complete sets of data from 18 controlled trials (CTs) which explored 8 outcomes related to weight status. Significant, small effect sizes were identified for body fat% (Hedges’ g = 0.215, 95% CI 0.059 to 0.371, P = 0.007) and skinfolds (Hedges’ g = 0.274, 95% CI 0.066 to 0.483, P = 0.01). Effect sizes were not significant for: body mass (Hedges’ g = 0.043, 95% CI − 0.103 to 0.189, P = 0.564), body mass index (Hedges’ g = 0.024, 95% CI − 0.205 to 0.253, P = 0.838), fat-free mass (Hedges’ g = 0.073, 95% CI − 0.169 to 0.316, P = 0.554), fat mass (Hedges’ g = 0.180, 95% CI − 0.090 to 0.451, P = 0.192), lean mass (Hedges’ g = 0.089, 95% CI − 0.122 to 0.301, P = 0.408) or waist circumference (Hedges’ g = 0.209, 95% CI − 0.075 to 0.494, P = 0.149).ConclusionsThe results of this meta-analysis suggest that an isolated resistance training intervention may have an effect on weight status in youth. Overall, more quality research should be undertaken to investigate the impact of resistance training in youth as it could have a role to play in the treatment and prevention of obesity.
Highlights
There has been a rise in research into obesity prevention and treatment programmes in youth, including the effectiveness of resistance-based exercise
Eight outcomes related to weight status were included in the analysis: body mass, body mass index (BMI), body fat (%), fat-free mass, fat mass, lean mass, skinfolds and waist circumference
The literature suggests that resistance training (RT) may have a positive effect on weight status in youth, the effects have not been clearly established and it is clear that more quality research is required to investigate this further
Summary
There has been a rise in research into obesity prevention and treatment programmes in youth, including the effectiveness of resistance-based exercise. The current guidelines for children aged 5–18 recommend 60 min of daily physical activity (PA), and minimising the time spent sitting each day. They recommend activity that strengthens muscle and bone, at least 3 days a week [3, 4]. Despite these guidelines, one of the more recent global surveillance studies, the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children survey [5], reported that across Europe, less than 50% of young people were meeting the current PA guidelines. The survey demonstrated a decline in PA levels with age; 25% of 11 years olds met the recommendations, compared to just 16% of 15 year olds [5] which indicates that as children advance to adolescence, sedentary behaviour becomes more common
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