Table 1.
Characteristics of participants and exercise protocols.
| Source, year | Study characteristics | Participant characteristics | Exercise characteristics | Dietary intervention characteristics | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sample size (sex) | Groups | Intervention duration (~ week) |
Outcomes | Health status | Age (years) | BMI (kg/m2) | Type | Protocol | Sessions/week | ||
| Seo et al., 2012 (42) |
20 M | Exe Con |
8 | FBG FI HOMA-IR BW |
Obese | Exe: 14.7 ± 1.51 Con: 14.6 ± 3.03 |
Exe: 28.57 ± 3.88 Con: 29.04 ± 6.66 |
Yoga-asana | 60 min at 50–60% HHR | 3 | Consuming a balanced diet |
| Chae et al., 2010 (22) |
38 (M & F) | Exe Con |
12 | FBG FI HOMA-IR BW |
Obese | Exe: 10.4 ± 13.48 Con: 10.6 ± 16.53 |
Exe: 26.6 ± 3.48 Con: 26.2 ± 4.35 |
Combined (Aerobic & Resistance |
90 min | 2 | Instructed not to consume more than 1800–2000 kcal/day during weekdays. The control group with obesity underwent conventional counseling at the outpatient clinic. |
| de Lira et al., 2017 (43) |
107 M | Exe1 Exe2 Con |
12 | FBG FI HOMA-IR |
Obese | Exe1: 14.95 ± 1.35 Exe2: 14.77 ± 0.94 Con: 14.72 ± 1.35 |
Exe1: 35.36 ± 4.78 Exe2: 34.07 ± 4.05 Con: 35.09 ± 4.11 |
HIIT LIT |
HIIT: 38 min at VT1 LIT: 52 min exercise at 20% below VT1 |
3 | Participants were encouraged to reduce overall calorie intake and to follow a balanced diet. |
| Vissers et al., 2008 (17) |
76 (M & F) | Exe Con |
24 | FBG | Overweight | Exe (F): 17.5 ± 1.3 Exe (M): 18.1 ± 1.3 Con (F): 17.1 ± 1.1 Con (M): 17.5 ± 1.4 |
Exe (F): 29.3 ± 2.9 Exe (M): 28.9 ± 2.0 Con (F): 29.3 ± 4.1 Con (M): 28.7 ± 3.6 |
Combined (Aerobic & Resistance |
ND | 3 | Counseling by a dietitian |
| Alizadeh et al., 2019 (18) |
20 M | Exe Con |
6 | FBG FI HOMA-IR BW |
Overweight | Exe: 18.0 ± 1.5 Con: 18.0 ± 1.5 |
Exe: 27.8 ± 0.6 Con: 28.5 ± 0.6 |
SIT | 14–16 min of 4–6 repetitions of 30s SIT with 30s recovery between each SIT with 90% MHR | 3 | control group participants were not allowed to take part in any exercise training and followed their routine daily activities and usual diets. |
| Rasooli et al., 2021 (44) |
40 M | Exe Con |
8 | FBG FI HOMA-IR BW |
Obese | Exe: 14-17 Con: 14-17 |
Exe: 33.8 ± 3.9 Con: 32.8 ± 3.8 |
Circuit resistance training | 40–60 min of 2–4 sets of 6–12 repetitions at 70-80% 1RM | 3 | ND |
| Kim et al., 2020 (28) |
48 F | Exe Con |
12 | FBG FI HOMA-IR BW |
Prehypertension/Hyperinsulinemia/Overweight | Exe: 15 ± 1 Con: 15 ± 1 |
Exe: 28 ± 1 Con: 29 ± 1 |
Jump rope | 50 min at 40–70% at 11–16 RPE | 5 | Participants were advised to maintain their current dietary habits. |
| Wong et al., 2018 (29) |
30 F | Exe Con |
12 | FBG FI HOMA-IR BW |
Hyperinsulinemia/Obese | Exe: 15.2 ± 1.2 Con: 15.3 ± 1.1 |
Exe: 30.1 ± 2.2 Con: 30.2 ± 1.2 |
Combined (Aerobic & Resistance) |
T: 60 min A: 40–70% HRR R: 16–20 repetitions at 70–80% of maximum strength |
3 | Participants were reminded to make no changes to their diet. |
| Benson et al., 2008 (20) |
78 (M & F) | Exe Con |
8 | FBG FI HOMA-IR |
Overweight | Exe: 12.3 ± 1.3 Con: 12.2 ± 1.3 |
Exe: 23.2 ± 5.4 Con: 21.9 ± 3.6 |
Resistance | 2 sets of 8 repetitions at 80% of peak strength (15–18 RPE scale) |
2 | ND |
| Sun et al., 2011 (23) |
42 (M & F) | Exe Con |
10 | FBG FI HOMA-IR BW |
Overweight | Exe (F): 13.8 ± 0.6 Exe (M): 13.4 ± 0.4 Con: 13.6 ± 0.7 |
Exe (F):26.9 ± 3 Exe (M): 27.1 ± 3.1 Con: 27.9 ± 3.8 |
Aerobic | 60 min at 40–60% Vo2max | 4 | ND |
| Boer et al., 2014 (19) |
54 (M & F) | Exe1 Exe2 Con |
15 | FBG FI HOMA-IR BW |
Intellectual disability Overweight | Exe1: 18 ± 3.2 Exe2: 16.7 ± 3.6 Con: 17.4 ± 2.4 |
Exe1: 28.4 ± 4.7 Exe2: 27.5 ± 2.7 Con: 26.9 ± 3.2 |
SIT CAT |
SIT: 40 min of 10×15s at >100 r/min at VTR with 45s rest at 50 r/min at VTR CAT: 50 min at 60–110% VTR r/min |
2 | ND |
| Sefat et al., 2019 (30) |
20 F | Exe Con |
8 | FBG FI HOMA-IR BW |
Hypothyroidism Overweight |
Exe: 12.40 ± 1.71 Con: 11.80 ± 2.20 |
Exe: 26.02 ± 2.2 Con: 24.49 ± 3.3 |
Combined (Aerobic & Resistance) |
T: 75 min A: 60–80% HRR R: 8–12 repetitions at 40-65% 1RM with 30s Rest |
ND | ND |
| Meng et al., 2022 (45) |
45 M | Exe1 Exe2 Con |
12 | FBG FI HOMA-IR |
Obese | Exe1: 11.4 ± 0.8 Exe2: 11.2 ± 0.7 Con: 11.0 ± 0.7 |
Exe1: 24.5 ± 1.1 Exe2: 24.4 ± 0.9 Con: 23.8 ± 0.8 |
HIIT MICT |
HIIT: 30–40 min 2 sets of eight bouts of 15s run at 90–100% MAS with eight bouts of 15s recovery runs between bouts at 50% MAS MICT: 30 min run with 60–70% MAS |
3 | Participants were asked to maintain their current diet throughout the duration of the study. |
| Lee et al., 2010 (46) |
45 M | Exe1 Exe2 Con |
12 | FBG FI BW |
Obese | Exe1: 15.2 ± 1.9 Exe2: 14.6 ± 1.5 Con: 14.8 ± 1.4 |
Exe1: 36.6 ± 5.9 Exe2: 34.5 ± 2.4 Con: 33.9 ± 4.2 |
Aerobic Resistance |
A: 40–60 min at 50–75% of Vo2peak
R: 60 min of 8–12 repetitions at 60% 1RM with 1–2 min rest between sets |
3 | No caloric restriction |
| Dias et al., 2018 (24) |
99 (M & F) | Exe1 Exe2 Con |
12 | FBG HOMA-IR |
Obese | Exe1: 12.4 ± 1.9 Exe2: 11.9 ± 2.4 Con: 11.8 ± 2.4 |
Exe1: 28.8 ± 3.8 Exe2: 30.4 ± 5.0 Con: 29.6 ± 4.3 |
HIIT MICT |
HIIT: 40 min 4 sets of 4 min bouts at 85–95% MHR with 3 min of recovery between bouts at 50–70% MHR MICT: 44 min at 60–70% MHR |
3 | Dietary guidelines with a particular focus on healthy food choices, portion sizes, and regular meal times. |
| Plavsic et al., 2020 (31) |
44 F | Exe Con |
12 | HOMA-IR BW |
Obese | Exe: 16.2 ± 1.3 Con: 15.5 ± 1.5 |
Exe: 32.6 ± 2.7 Con: 33.2 ± 3.5 |
HIIT | T: 43 min 4 sets of 4 min intervals at 85–90% MHR with a 3 min recovery at 70% MHR |
2 | All participants were asked to consume (1500-1700 kcal/day). |
| Son et al., 2017 (32) |
40 F | Exe Con |
12 | FBG FI HOMA-IR BW |
Prehypertension/Obese | Exe: 15 ± 4.47 Con: 15 ± 4.47 |
Exe: 30.36± 3.08 Con: 30.31± 3.39 |
Combined (Aerobic & Resistance) |
60 min at 40–70% HRR (RPE 11–16) | 3 | Asked to maintain their usual diet. |
| Davis et al., 2009 (33) |
34 F | Exe1 Exe2 Con |
16 | FBG FI BW |
Overweight | Exe1: 15.7 ± 1.2 Exe2: 14.8 ± 1 Con: 15.3 ± 1.1 |
Exe1: 32.8. ± 7.9 Exe2: 33.6 ± 6.9 Con: 34.6 ± 7.4 |
Resistance Combined (Aerobic & Resistance) |
R: 30 min of 1–3 sets with 5–15 repetitions C: 30 min total cardiovascular activity |
2 | All intervention groups received the same nutrition education class. |
| Abassi et al., 2020 (34) |
24 F | Exe1 Exe2 Con |
12 | FBG FI HOMA-IR BW |
Overweight | Exe1: 16.1 ± 0.99 Exe2: 16.5 ± 1.07 Con: 16.9 ± 1.64 |
Exe1: 32.5 ± 2.52 Exe2: 33.6 ± 3.66 Con: 32.7 ± 4.71 |
HIIT MIIT |
HIIT: 50 min 2 sets of 6–8 bouts of 30s run at 100–110% MAS with 30s recovery between bouts at 50% MAS MIIT: 50 min 2 sets of 6–8 bouts of 30s run at 70–80% MAS, with 30s recovery between bouts at 50% MAS |
3 | ND |
| Zehsaz et al., 2016 (47) |
32 M | Exe Con |
16 | FBG FI HOMA-IR BW |
Obese | Exe: 10.8 ± 0.9 Con: 10.3 ± 0.9 |
Exe: 31.7 ± 1 Con: 31.7 ± 1 |
Combined (Aerobic & Resistance) |
T: 85–90 min A: 30–35 min at 5575% MHR R: 55 min with 20 repetitions with 70% 1RM |
4 | Asked not to modify their diet during the study period. |
| Kelly et al., 2004 (25) |
25 (M & F) | Exe Con |
8 | FBG FI BW |
Overweight | Exe: 11 ± 1.99 Con: 11 ± 2.24 |
Exe: 32.1 ± 7.58 Con: 30.5 ± 7.26 |
Aerobic | T: 30 min at 50–80% Vo2peak | 4 | ND |
| Kelly et al., 2019 (48) |
32 M | Exe Con |
16 | FBG | Obese | Exe: 15.29 ± 0.95 Con: 15.58 ± 0.99 |
Exe: 33.13 ± 4.30 Con: 34.22 ± 7.55 |
Resistance | R: 60 min of 1–4 sets of 3–16 repetitions with 62–97% 1RM | 2 | ND |
| Liu et al., 2018 (35) |
50 F | Exe Con |
4 | FBG FI HOMA-IR BW |
Obese | Exe: 14.6 ± 0.7 Con: 14.7 ± 0.8 |
Exe: 33.9 ± 3.1 Con: 34.6 ± 4.9 |
Aerobic | 120 min with 5 min rest per 30 min (heart rate at the at 100–140 beats/min) | 6 Twice a day |
Total daily energy of 1400 or 1600 kcal (different in portion size, with carbohydrate, protein, and fat accounting for 65%, 15%, and 20% of the total energy, respectively. |
| Karacabey et al., 2009 (49) |
40 M | Exe Con |
12 | FI BW |
Obese | Exe: 11.8 ± 0.5 Con: 11.2 ± 0.8 |
Exe: 34.9 ± 4.1 Con: 35.5 ± 3.2 |
Aerobic (Walking-Jogging) | 30–55 min at 60–65%HRR | 3 | All study participants undertook the same diet program. |
| Davis et al., 2011 (36) |
31 F | Exe Con |
16 | FI HOMA-IR |
Overweight | Exe: 15.7 ± 1.1 Con: 15.8 ± 1.0 |
Exe:32.4 ± 3.2 Con:36.4 ± 5.2 |
Combined (Aerobic & Resistance) |
T: 60–90 min A: 70–85% MHR R: 8–14 repetitions of 6–9 circuits repeated twice: each consisting of two ST exercises (1 min each) and one cardiovascular exercise (2–3 min) |
2 | ND |
| Lee et al., 2013 (37) |
44 F | Exe1 Exe2 Con |
12 | FBG FI BW |
Obese | Exe1: 14.6 ± 1.9 Exe2: 14.8 ± 1.9 Con: 15.0 ± 2.2 |
Exe1: 32.9 ± 3.8 Exe2: 36.4 ± 3.8 Con: 35.3 ± 4.0 |
Aerobic Resistance |
A: 40–60 min at 50–75%Vo2peak R: 60 min of 1–2 sets of 8–12 repetitions at 60% 1RM |
3 | All participants were asked to follow a weight maintenance diet. |
| McCormack et al., 2014 (21) |
18 (M & F) | Exe Con |
8 | FBG FI HOMA-IR BW |
Mild insulin resistance/Obese | Exe:13.8 ± 2.2 Con:12.1 ± 1.2 |
Exe: 39.1 ± 6.5 Con: 34.3 ± 7.4 |
Aerobic | 20 min at 60–80% HRR | 3 | ND |
| Farpour-Lambert et al., 2009 (16) |
44 (M & F) | Exe Con |
12 | FBG FI HOMA-IR BW |
Pre-pubertal Obese | Exe: 9.1 ± 1.4 Con: 8.8 ± 1.6 |
Exe: 25.4 ± 4.6 Con: 25.1 ± 4.7 |
Combined (Aerobic & Resistance) |
T: 60 min A: 55–65% Vo2max R: 2–3 sets of 10–15 repetitions |
3 | No dietary intervention |
| Murphy et al., 2009 (26) |
35 (M & F) | Exe Con |
12 | FBG FI HOMA-IR BW |
Impaired FMD/Overweight |
Exe: 10.21 ± 1.67 Con: 10.21 ± 1.67 |
Exe: 27.9 ± 4.8 Con: 31.8 ± 5 |
Dance | T: 10–30 min | 5 | ND |
| Meyer et al., 2006 (27) |
96 (M & F) | Exe Con |
24 | FI HOMA-IR |
Obese | Exe: 14.7 ± 2.2 Con: 14.7 ± 2.2 |
Exe: 29.8 ± 5.93 Con: 31 ± 4.42 |
Swimming and Aqua aerobic training/Sports games/Walking | T: 60 min | 3 | There was no change in calorie intake or diet plan in both groups. |
| Kim et al., 2011 (51) |
30 M | Exe Con |
12 | FBG FI HOMA-IR BW |
Overweight | Exe: 17.63 ± 0.49 Con: ND |
Exe: 28.79 ± 3.81 Con: 28.33 ± 2.84 |
Aerobic | T: 50 min | 5 | ND |
| Lopes et al., 2016 (38) |
40 F | Exe Con |
12 | FBG FI HOMA-IR BW |
Overweight | Exe: 14.6 ± 1.15 Con: 14.4 ± 1.16 |
Exe: 28.8 ± 3.62 Con: 29.04 ± 3.09 |
Combined (Aerobic & Resistance) |
T: 60 min A: 50–85% Vo2peak R: 3 sets of 6–10 repetitions with 60–70% 1 RM |
3 | All participants were instructed to maintain their usual food intake throughout the study period. |
| Racil et al., 2013 (39) |
34 F | Exe1 Exe2 Con |
12 | FBG FI HOMA-IR BW |
Obese | Exe1: 15.6 ± 0.7 Exe2: 16.3 ± 0.52 Con: 15.9 ± 1.2 |
Exe1: BMI >97% centiles Exe2: BMI >97% centiles Con: BMI >97% centiles |
HIIT MIIT |
HIIT: 35–37 min 2 sets of 6–8 repetitions of 30s run at 100–110% of MAS with recovery bouts at 50% MAS MIIT: 35–37 2 sets 6–8 repetitions of 30s run with 70–80% of MAS with recovery between bouts at 50% MAS |
3 | Maintained usual diet |
| Racil et al., 2016 (41) |
75 F | Exe1 Exe2 Con |
12 | FBG FI HOMA-IR BW |
Obese | Exe1: 16.6 ± 0.9 Exe2: 16.5 ± 1.2 Con: 16.9 ± 1.0 |
Exe1(Z-score): 2.9 ± 0.2 Exe2 (Z-score): 2.9 ± 0.3 Con (Z-score): 2.8 ± 0.3 |
HIIT Combined (Plyometric exercise & HIIT) |
HIIT: 44 min 2 sets of 6 repetitions or 8 bouts of 30s runs at 100% Vo2peak with 30s recovery between bouts at 50% Vo2peak P+HIIT: 50 min two blocks of three different plyometric exercises with HIIT at 100% Vo2peak |
3 | Maintained usual diet |
| Vasconcellos et al., 2015 (40) |
20 F | Exe Con |
12 | FBG FI HOMA-IR BW |
Obese | Exe: 14.1 ± 1.3 Con: 14.8 ± 1.4 |
Exe: 31.1 ± 5.2 Con: 32.2 ± 4.9 |
Soccer | T: 60 min | 3 | ND |
M, Male; F, Female; G, Girl; B, Boy; Exe, Exercise; Con, Control; DI, diet intervention; FI, Fasting insulin; FBG, Fasting blood glucose; HOMA-IR, Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance; ND, Not-described; HIIT, High-intensity interval training; MICT, Moderate-intensity continuous training; MIIT, Moderate-intensity interval training; LIT, Low-intensity training; MAS, Maximal aerobic speed; VTR, Ventilatory threshold; 1RM, One-repetition maximum; HRR, Heart rate reserve; MHR, Maximal heart rate; A, Aerobic; R, Resistance; VO2peak/max, Peak or maximal oxygen uptake; VT1, Ventilatory threshold 1; SIT, Sprint interval trainig; CAT, Continuous aerobic training; S, Seconds; RPE, Rating of perceived exertion;T, Time of each training session.