Table 3.
Meta-analysis performed on the effects of LVRT on body adiposity, metabolic risk, and inflammation in postmenopausal and older females.
| LVRT (n) | CG (n) | SMD (95%CI) | k | I2 | Overall effect (p) | GRADE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Body adiposity | |||||||
| Total body adipositya | 198 | 186 | –0.29 (–0.50 to –0.09)* | 9 | 0%, p = 0.82 | <0.01 | Lowc,d |
| Abdominal adiposityb | 118 | 114 | –0.35 (–0.61 to –0.09)⁎,† | 4 | 0%, p = 0.66 | <0.01 | Lowc,d |
| Serum metabolic risk and inflammation | |||||||
| TC | 92 | 86 | –0.47 (–0.83 to –0.11)⁎ | 4 | 28%, p = 0.23 | 0.01 | Lowc,d |
| LDL-c | 92 | 86 | –0.76 (–1.15 to –0.36)⁎ | 4 | 37%, p = 0.17 | <0.01 | Lowc,d |
| HDL-c | 92 | 86 | 0.27 (–0.09 to 0.62) | 4 | 28%, p = 0.24 | 0.14 | Lowc,d |
| TG | 92 | 86 | –0.29 (–0.59 to 0.00) | 4 | 0%, p = 0.75 | 0.05 | Lowc,d |
| Glucose | 95 | 88 | –0.78 (–1.15 to –0.41)⁎ | 4 | 32%, p = 0.21 | <0.01 | Lowc,d |
| CRP | 95 | 88 | –0.34 (–0.63 to –0.04)⁎ | 4 | 0%, p = 0.99 | 0.02 | Lowc,d |
Note: Total volume = number of exercises × number of sets per exercise × number of reps per exercise × number of exercise sessions per week × weeks of intervention (LVRT median value was 5760 arbitrary units).
Outcome analyzed with anthropometric, dual energy X-ray absorptiometry and bioelectrical impedance analysis (kg and %). When the study had kg and % data, preference was given to data in kg.
Outcome analyzed with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (kg), and bioelectrical impedance (%) analysis. To avoid redundancy outcomes, only trunk fat (kg) was extracted from the Cavalcante et al.62
Downgraded by 1 level due to indirectness of evidence (only 3 studies directly compared LVRT with HVRT and/or surrogate outcomes).
Downgraded by 1 level due to imprecision of results (small sample size and large 95%CI).
p < 0.05 favors RT compared to CG.
Without outlier studies.
Abbreviations: 95%CI = 95% confidence interval; CG = control group; CRP = C-reactive protein; GRADE = certainty of the evidence (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation); HDL-c = high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; I2 = heterogeneity; k = number of studies; LDL-c = low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; LVRT = low-volume resistance training group; SMD = standardized mean difference; TC = total cholesterol; TG = triglycerides.