. 2023 Jul 21;13:11826. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-38603-x

Table 1.

Characteristics of the studies selected.

Study	Sample size (n)	BMI (kg/m²)	FMD baseline (%)	Exercise training	Main outcome	Secondary outcomes
Azadpour et al. (2016)⁴⁰	Total = 24 Women = 24 T (n = 12): 58 years C (n = 12): 56 years	T: 32.2 ± 1.6 C: 31.3 ± 1.4	T: 5.8 ± 0.5 C: 6.0 ± 0.7	Aerobic, 25 to 40 min, 3 × per week, 50–70% HRres, Duration: 10 weeks	↑ FMD (p < 0.01) ∆ T = 5.0 ∆ C = -0.5	↓ SBP ↓ DBP ↑ VO₂ peak ↓ % BF ↓ WC ↓ Weight ↓ BMI
Bhutani et al. (2013)³⁹	Total = 40 Women = 38, Men = 2 T (n = 24): 42 years C (n = 16): 49 years	T: 35.0 ± 1.0 C: 35.0 ± 1.0	T: 6.8 ± 1.3 C: 7.0 ± 3.3	Aerobic, 20 a 40 min, 3 × per week, 60–75% HRmax, Duration: 12 weeks	↑ FMD (p < 0.05) ∆ T = 0.4 ∆ C = -0.7	↔ SBP ↔ DBP ↓ Weight ↔ Fat mass (kg) ↓ WC ↔ Leptin ↔ Adiponectin
Franklin et al. (2015)³⁸	Total = 18 Women = 18 T (n = 10): 50 years C (n = 8): 30 years	T: 34.2 ± 3.0 C: 32.2 ± 6.9	T: 9.5 ± 1.6 C: 8.4 ± 3.5	Resistance Training, NI, 2 × week, 3 × 80–90% (1MR), Duration: 8 weeks	↑ FMD (p < 0.01) ∆ T = 0.3 ∆ C = -0.4	↔ SBP ↔ DBP ↑ VO₂ peak ↓ Glucose ↓ % BF ↔ Weight ↔ CRP ↔ TNF-alpha
Bircher et al. (2007)³⁷	Total = 26 Women = 13, Men = 13 T (n = 13): 30 years C (n = 13): 30 anos	T: 33.0 ± 3.1 C: 34.8 ± 3.6	T: 4.3 ± 3.5 C: 4.9 ± 2.9	Aerobic, 45 min, 3 × per weeks, 70% HRmax, Duration: 12 weeks	↑ FMD (p = 0.019) ∆ T = 2.6 ∆ C = -0.2	↔ SBP ↔ DBP ↑ VO₂ peak ↓ % BF ↓ Weight
Olson et al. (2006)³⁴	Total = 30 Women = 30 T (n = 15): 38 years C (n = 15): 38 years	T: 27.0 ± 5.0 C: 27.0 ± 6.0	T: 6.3 ± 2.7 C: 6.5 ± 2.3	Resistance Training, NI, 2 × per week, 3 × 8–10 MR, duration: 48 weeks	↑ FMD (p = 0.002) ∆ T = 2.6 ∆ C = -1.4	↓ SBP ↓ DBP ↓ % BF ↔ Weight ↔ EID
Robinson et al. (2016)³⁶	Total = 19 Women = 14, Men = 5 T (n = 10): 34 years C (n = 9): 28 years	T: 33.0 ± 6.0 C: 32.0 ± 5.0	T: 9.3 ± 4.2 C: 8.6 ± 4.8	Aerobic, 30 to 45 min, 3 × week, 75% HRmax, Duration: 8 weeks	↓ FMD (p < 0.05) ∆ T = -0.9 ∆ C = 0.0	↓ SBP ↓ DBP ↓ % BF, ↓HR ↓ Weight ↔ EID ↔ TNF-alpha
Swift et al. (2012)³⁵	Total = 91 Women = 91 T (n = 68): 57 years C (n = 23): 56 years	T: 31.5 ± 3.1 C: 32.0 ± 3.0	T: 4.0 ± 2.6 C: 4.7 ± 2.4	Aerobic, Energy Expenditure 4 kcal/kg, 3–4 × per week, 50% VO₂ peak, Duration: 24 weeks	↑ FMD (p < 0.01) ∆ T = 1.0 ∆ C = -0.5	↔ SBP ↔ DBP ↔ VO₂ peak
Swift et al. (2012)³⁵	Total = 55 Women = 55 T (n = 32): 56 years C (n = 23): 57 years	T: 32.3 ± 4.3 C: 32.0 ± 3.0	T: 3.7 ± 2.6 C: 4.7 ± 2.4	Aerobic, Energy Expenditure 8 kcal/kg, 3–4 × per week, 50% VO₂ peak, Duration: 24 weeks	↑ FMD (p < 0.01) ∆ T = 1.5 ∆ C = -0.5	↔ SBP ↔ DBP ↑ VO₂ peak
Swift et al. (2012)³⁵	Total = 55 Women = 55 T (n = 32): 56 years C (n = 23): 57 years	T: 30.7 ± 3.1 C: 32.0 ± 3.0	T: 4.4 ± 2.4 C: 4.7 ± 2.4	Aerobic, Energy Expenditure 12 kcal/kg, 3–4 × per week, 50% VO₂ peak, Duration: 24 weeks	↑ FMD (p < 0.01) ∆ T = 1.2 ∆ C = -0.5	↔ SBP ↔ DBP ↑ VO₂ peak
Tucker et al. (2021)⁴³	Total = 27 Men = 27 T (n = 8): 29 years C (n = 9): 28 years	T: 29.7 ± 4.5 C: 29.6 ± 3.9	T: 6.2 ± 2.55 C: 4.7 ± 2.40	Aerobic,30 to 45 min, 4 × per week, 50% VO2max, Duration: 4 weeks	↔ FMD (p < 0.05) ∆ T = -0.7 ∆ C = -1.00	↔ SBP ↔ DBP ↑ VO₂ max
Tuckeret al. (2021)⁴³	Total = 27 Men = 27 T (n = 10): 30 years C (n = 9): 28 years	T: 30.2 ± 3.0 C: 29.6 ± 3.9	T: 6.0 ± 2.53 C: 4.7 ± 2.40	HIIT, 8 to 11 min, 4 × per week, 90 to 95% HRmax, Duration: 4 weeks	↔ FMD (p < 0.05) ∆ T =—0.5 ∆ C =—1.00	↔ SBP ↔ DBP ↑ VO₂ max
Vélez-Ramírez et al. (2020)⁴²	Total = 57 Women = 34, Men = 23 Age: 40.8 ± 7.06 years T (n = 14): ? years C (n = 16): ? y ears	30.04 ± 3.49	T: 12.89 ± 8.83 C: 10.48 ± 7.15	HIIT, 4 × 4 min, 3 × per week, 85 to 95% HRmax, Duration: 12 weeks	↔ FMD (p < 0.01) ∆ T = 2.79 ∆ C = 2.14	↑ VO₂ max ↔ HRrest ↓BF% ↔ PWV
Vélez-Ramírez et al. (2020)⁴²	Total = 57 Women = 34, Men = 23 Age: 40.8 ± 7.06 years T (n = 12): ? years C (n = 16): ? years	30.04 ± 3.49	T: 6.94 ± 4.22 C: 10.48 ± 7.15	Resistance training, 3 × per week, 30 to 40 min, 50 to 70% 1RM, Duration: 12 weeks	↑ FMD (p < 0.01) ∆ T = 10.54 ∆ C = 2.14	↑ VO₂ max ↓ HRrest ↓ BF% ↑ PWV
Hovsepian et al. (2021)⁴¹	Total = 26 Women = 26 T (n = 13): 20.23 years C (n = 13): 20.69 years	T: 29.6 C: 32.34	T: 8.83 ± 3.71 C: 9.27 ± 5.01	HIIT, 4 × per week, 40 min, 85 to 90% HRmax, Duration: 10 weeks	↑ FMD (p < 0.01) ∆ T = 1.38 ∆ C = -1,20	↑ VO₂ max ↓ BF% ↓ Weight

Study

Sample size (n)

BMI (kg/m²)

FMD baseline (%)

Exercise training

Main outcome

Secondary outcomes

Azadpour et al. (2016)⁴⁰

Total = 24 Women = 24

T (n = 12): 58 years

C (n = 12): 56 years

T: 32.2 ± 1.6

C: 31.3 ± 1.4

T: 5.8 ± 0.5

C: 6.0 ± 0.7

Aerobic, 25 to 40 min, 3 × per week, 50–70% HRres, Duration: 10 weeks

↑ FMD

(p < 0.01)

∆ T = 5.0

∆ C = -0.5

↓ SBP ↓ DBP

↑ VO₂ peak

↓ % BF ↓ WC

↓ Weight ↓ BMI

Bhutani et al. (2013)³⁹

Total = 40 Women = 38, Men = 2

T (n = 24): 42 years

C (n = 16): 49 years

T: 35.0 ± 1.0 C: 35.0 ± 1.0

T: 6.8 ± 1.3

C: 7.0 ± 3.3

Aerobic, 20 a 40 min, 3 × per week, 60–75% HRmax, Duration: 12 weeks

↑ FMD

(p < 0.05)

∆ T = 0.4

∆ C = -0.7

↔ SBP ↔ DBP

↓ Weight

↔ Fat mass (kg)

↓ WC ↔ Leptin

↔ Adiponectin

Franklin et al. (2015)³⁸

Total = 18 Women = 18

T (n = 10): 50 years

C (n = 8): 30 years

T: 34.2 ± 3.0 C: 32.2 ± 6.9

T: 9.5 ± 1.6

C: 8.4 ± 3.5

Resistance Training, NI, 2 × week, 3 × 80–90% (1MR), Duration: 8 weeks

↑ FMD

(p < 0.01)

∆ T = 0.3

∆ C = -0.4

↔ SBP ↔ DBP

↑ VO₂ peak

↓ Glucose ↓ % BF

↔ Weight ↔ CRP

↔ TNF-alpha

Bircher et al. (2007)³⁷

Total = 26

Women = 13, Men = 13

T (n = 13): 30 years

C (n = 13): 30 anos

T: 33.0 ± 3.1 C: 34.8 ± 3.6

T: 4.3 ± 3.5

C: 4.9 ± 2.9

Aerobic, 45 min, 3 × per weeks, 70% HRmax, Duration: 12 weeks

↑ FMD

(p = 0.019)

∆ T = 2.6

∆ C = -0.2

↔ SBP ↔ DBP

↑ VO₂ peak

↓ % BF

↓ Weight

Olson et al. (2006)³⁴

Total = 30 Women = 30

T (n = 15): 38 years

C (n = 15): 38 years

T: 27.0 ± 5.0 C: 27.0 ± 6.0

T: 6.3 ± 2.7

C: 6.5 ± 2.3

Resistance Training, NI, 2 × per week, 3 × 8–10 MR, duration: 48 weeks

↑ FMD

(p = 0.002)

∆ T = 2.6

∆ C = -1.4

↓ SBP ↓ DBP

↓ % BF

↔ Weight

↔ EID

Robinson et al. (2016)³⁶

Total = 19 Women = 14, Men = 5

T (n = 10): 34 years

C (n = 9): 28 years

T: 33.0 ± 6.0 C: 32.0 ± 5.0

T: 9.3 ± 4.2

C: 8.6 ± 4.8

Aerobic, 30 to 45 min, 3 × week, 75% HRmax, Duration: 8 weeks

↓ FMD

(p < 0.05)

∆ T = -0.9

∆ C = 0.0

↓ SBP ↓ DBP

↓ % BF, ↓HR

↓ Weight ↔ EID

↔ TNF-alpha

Swift et al. (2012)³⁵

Total = 91 Women = 91

T (n = 68): 57 years

C (n = 23): 56 years

T: 31.5 ± 3.1 C: 32.0 ± 3.0

T: 4.0 ± 2.6

C: 4.7 ± 2.4

Aerobic, Energy Expenditure

4 kcal/kg, 3–4 × per week, 50% VO₂ peak, Duration: 24 weeks

↑ FMD

(p < 0.01)

∆ T = 1.0

∆ C = -0.5

↔ SBP ↔ DBP

↔ VO₂ peak

Swift et al. (2012)³⁵

Total = 55 Women = 55

T (n = 32): 56 years

C (n = 23): 57 years

T: 32.3 ± 4.3 C: 32.0 ± 3.0

T: 3.7 ± 2.6

C: 4.7 ± 2.4

Aerobic, Energy Expenditure

8 kcal/kg, 3–4 × per week, 50% VO₂ peak, Duration: 24 weeks

↑ FMD

(p < 0.01)

∆ T = 1.5

∆ C = -0.5

↔ SBP ↔ DBP

↑ VO₂ peak

Swift et al. (2012)³⁵

Total = 55 Women = 55

T (n = 32): 56 years

C (n = 23): 57 years

T: 30.7 ± 3.1 C: 32.0 ± 3.0

T: 4.4 ± 2.4

C: 4.7 ± 2.4

Aerobic, Energy Expenditure

12 kcal/kg, 3–4 × per week, 50% VO₂ peak, Duration: 24 weeks

↑ FMD

(p < 0.01)

∆ T = 1.2

∆ C = -0.5

↔ SBP ↔ DBP

↑ VO₂ peak

Tucker et al. (2021)⁴³

Total = 27 Men = 27

T (n = 8): 29 years

C (n = 9): 28 years

T: 29.7 ± 4.5 C: 29.6 ± 3.9

T: 6.2 ± 2.55

C: 4.7 ± 2.40

Aerobic,30 to 45 min, 4 × per week, 50% VO2max, Duration: 4 weeks

↔ FMD

(p < 0.05)

∆ T = -0.7

∆ C = -1.00

↔ SBP ↔ DBP

↑ VO₂ max

Tuckeret al. (2021)⁴³

Total = 27 Men = 27

T (n = 10): 30 years

C (n = 9): 28 years

T: 30.2 ± 3.0 C: 29.6 ± 3.9

T: 6.0 ± 2.53

C: 4.7 ± 2.40

HIIT, 8 to 11 min, 4 × per week, 90 to 95% HRmax, Duration: 4 weeks

↔ FMD

(p < 0.05)

∆ T =—0.5

∆ C =—1.00

↔ SBP ↔ DBP

↑ VO₂ max

Vélez-Ramírez et al. (2020)⁴²

Total = 57 Women = 34, Men = 23

Age: 40.8 ± 7.06 years

T (n = 14): ? years

C (n = 16): ? y ears

30.04 ± 3.49

T: 12.89 ± 8.83

C: 10.48 ± 7.15

HIIT, 4 × 4 min, 3 × per week, 85 to 95% HRmax, Duration: 12 weeks

↔ FMD

(p < 0.01)

∆ T = 2.79

∆ C = 2.14

↑ VO₂ max

↔ HRrest ↓BF%

↔ PWV

Vélez-Ramírez et al. (2020)⁴²

Total = 57 Women = 34, Men = 23

Age: 40.8 ± 7.06 years

T (n = 12): ? years

C (n = 16): ? years

30.04 ± 3.49

T: 6.94 ± 4.22

C: 10.48 ± 7.15

Resistance training, 3 × per week, 30 to 40 min, 50 to 70% 1RM, Duration: 12 weeks

↑ FMD

(p < 0.01)

∆ T = 10.54

∆ C = 2.14

↑ VO₂ max

↓ HRrest ↓ BF% ↑ PWV

Hovsepian et al. (2021)⁴¹

Total = 26 Women = 26

T (n = 13): 20.23 years

C (n = 13): 20.69 years

T: 29.6

C: 32.34

T: 8.83 ± 3.71

C: 9.27 ± 5.01

HIIT, 4 × per week, 40 min, 85 to 90% HRmax, Duration: 10 weeks

↑ FMD

(p < 0.01)

∆ T = 1.38

∆ C = -1,20

↑ VO₂ max

↓ BF% ↓ Weight

FMD flow-mediated dilation, SBP systolic blood pressure, DBP diastolic blood pressure, HRmax maximum heart rate, HRres heart rate reserve, VO₂ peak peak rate of oxygen consumption, VO₂ max maximum oxygen consumption, T training group, C control group, HR heart rate, INA intensity not available, % BF percentage of body fat, WC waist circumference (cm), TNF-alpha tumor necrosis factor-alpha, CRP C-reactive protein, EID endothelial-independent dilation of the brachial artery.