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. 2025 Oct 1;11:111. doi: 10.1186/s40798-025-00918-6

Table 3.

Summary of subgroup analyses

Outcomes N Mean difference (95% of CI) p I2 (p)
BM
Age: ≥ 40 years 6 -0.94 (-2.26, 0.38) 0.16 0% (0.99)
Age: < 40 years 6 -0.87 (-2.09, 0.34) 0.16 0% (0.64)
FiO2: ≥ 15% 8 -0.85 (-1.77, 0.06) 0.07 0% (0.99)
FiO2: < 15% 4 -2.00 (-6.29, 2.30) 0.36 0% (0.58)
Hypoxic dose ≥ 50 km·h 7 -1.26 (-2.50, -0.02) 0.06 0% (0.84)
Hypoxic dose < 50 km·h 5 -0.52 (-1.80. 0.77) 0.43 0% (0.99)
Frequency: ≥ 4 days/week 5 -2.27 (-4.98, 0.44) 0.10 0% (0.72)
Frequency: < 4 days/week 7 -0.73 (-1.68, 0.21) 0.13 0% (0.99)
Session length: ≥ 60 min 10 -0.89 (-1.80, 0.01) 0.05 0% (0.94)
Session length: < 60 min 2 -1.25 (-7.55, 5.06) 0.70 0% (0.89)
Duration: ≥ 8 weeks 3 -1.30 (-3.36, 0.75) 0.21 4.2% (0.35)
Duration: < 8 weeks 9 -0.73 (-1.90, 0.44) 0.22 0% (0.99)
BMI
Age: ≥ 40 years 4 0.08 (-1.40, 1.55) 0.92 0% (0.91)
Age: < 40 years 5 -0.86 (-1.88, 0.15) 0.10 0% (0.63)
FiO2: ≥ 15% 6 0.20 (-1.33, 1.73) 0.07 0% (0.86)
FiO2: < 15% 3 -0.85 (-1.75, 0.06) 0.80 0% (0.48)
Hypoxic dose ≥ 50 km·h 4 -1.04 (-3.03, 0.95) 0.31 44.6% (0.14)
Hypoxic dose < 50 km·h 5 -0 38 (-1 31, 0.55) 0.42 0% (0.99)
Frequency: ≥ 4 days/week 2 0.46 (-1.63, 2.55) 0.67 0% (0.67)
Frequency: < 4 days/week 7 -0.24 (-1.09, 0.60) 0.08 0% (0.63)
Session length: ≥ 60 min 6 -0.74 (-1.58, 0.10) 0.09 0% (0.44)
Session length: < 60 min 3 -0.05 (-1.46, 1.37) 0.95 0% (0.74)
Duration: ≥ 8 weeks 2 0.46 (-1.63, 2.55) 0.67 0% (0.67)
Duration: < 8 weeks 7 -0.74 (-1.58, 0.10) 0.08 0% (0.56)
LBM
Age: ≥ 40 years 2 0.29 (-5.43, 6.02) 0.92 0% (0.82)
Age: < 40 years 2 1.05 (-4.03, 6.13) 0.69 0% (0.98)
FiO2: ≥ 15% 2 0.95 (-4.87, 6.77) 0.75 0% (0.69)
FiO2: < 15% 2 0.54 (-4.48, 5.56) 0.83 0% (0.92)
FBM
Age: ≥ 40 years 6 -0.43 (-2.50, 1.64) 0.69 0% (0.99)
Age: < 40 years 4 -1.84 (-3.66, -0.02) 0.05 0% (0.97)
FiO2: ≥ 15% 5 -1.54 (-3.55, 0.47) 0.13 0% (0.94)
FiO2: < 15% 5 -0.95 (-2.82, 0.92) 0.32 0% (0.74)
Hypoxic dose ≥ 50 km·h 7 -1.54 (-3.09, -0.02) 0.05 0% (0.93)
Hypoxic dose < 50 km·h 3 -0.16 (-3.03, 2.72) 0.91 0% (0.77)
Frequency: ≥ 4 days/week 5 -1.78 (-3.46, -0.01) < 0.05 0% (0.89)
Frequency: < 4 days/week 5 -0.09 (-2.47, 2.30) 0.95 0% (0.97)
Session length: ≥ 60 min 8 -1.24 (-2.70, 0.21) 0.09 0% (0.90)
Session length: < 60 min 2 -1.06 (-5.08, 2.97) 0.61 0% (0.74)
Duration: ≥ 8 weeks 2 -1.99 (-4.73, 0.75) 0.16 0% (0.97)
Duration: < 8 weeks 8 -0.97 (-2.55, 0.61) 0.23 0% (0.97)
WC
Age: ≥ 40 years 3 -0.20 (-4.55, 4.15) 0.93 0% (0.94)
Age: < 40 years 2 -1.05 (-6.63, 4.52) 0.71 0% (0.70)
FiO2: ≥ 15% 3 -1.26 (-6.04, 3.51) 0.60 0% (0.94)
FiO2: < 15% 2 0.27 (-4.66, 5.91) 0.92 0% (0.98)
Hypoxic dose ≥ 50 km·h 2 0.27 (-4.66, 5.19) 0.92 0% (0.98)
Hypoxic dose < 50 km·h 3 -1.26 (-6.04, 3.51) 0.60 0% (0.93)
TC
Age: ≥ 40 years 5 9.75 (-2.95, 22.45) 0.13 0% (0.92)
Age: < 40 years 3 -9.87 (-20.74,1.01) 0.08 0% (0.66)
FiO2: ≥ 15% 4 -7.93 (-18.58, 2.73) 0.15 0% (0.57)
FiO2: < 15% 4 8.02 (-5.06, 21.09) 0.23 0% (0.67)
Hypoxic dose ≥ 50 km·h 6 0.45 (-10.98, 11.88) 0.93 28.4% (0.22)
Hypoxic dose < 50 km·h 2 -2.12 (-28.07, 23.84) 0.87 0% (0.82)
Frequency: ≥ 4days/week 4 -2.82 (-16.74,11.07) 0.69 33.4% (0.21)
Frequency: < 4days/week 4 5.61 (-9.94, 21.16) 0.48 0% (0.71)
Session length: ≥ 60 min 2 0.01 (-11.48, 11.50) 0.99 28.5% (0.22)
Session length: < 60 min 6 0.73 (-24.62, 26.09) 0.95 0% (0.92)
Duration: ≥ 8 weeks 5 9.93 (-0.48, 20.35) 0.32 0% (0.37)
Duration: < 8 weeks 6 -4.11 (-13.23, 5.02) 0.38 0% (0.47)
TG
Age: ≥ 40 years 5 -8.56 (-37.83, 20.70) 0.57 0% (0.43)
Age: < 40 years 4 -10.93 (-20.78, -1.08) 0.08 8.1% (0.35)
FiO2: ≥ 15% 6 -13.28 (-23.49, -3.08) < 0.05 0% (0.69)
FiO2: < 15% 3 20.98 (-16.60, 58.55) 0.27 0% (0.59)
Hypoxic dose ≥ 50 km·h 5 -11.99 (-23.26, -0.73) < 0.05 0.1% (0.40)
Hypoxic dose < 50 km·h 4 -7.25 (-28.02, 13.53) 0.49 0% (0.39)
Frequency: ≥ 4 days/week 2 -20.95 (-61.42, 19.52) 0.31 27.1% (0.24)
Frequency: < 4 days/week 7 -6.00 (-23.31, 11.31) 0.50 0% (0.51)
Session length: ≥ 60 min 7 -10.80 (-20.85, -0.70 < 0.05 0% (0.46)
Session length: < 60 min 2 -22.68 (-94.91, 49.55) 0.59 31.6% (0.23)
Training duration: ≥ 8 weeks 3 -2.38 (-36.04, 31.28) 0.89 12.4% (0.32)
Training duration: < 8 weeks 6 -11.78 (-22.16, -1.40) < 0.05 0% (0.47)
LDL-C
Age: ≥ 40 years 5 -2.04 (-7.61, 3.51) 0.47 0% (0.83)
Age: < 40 years 5 -0.46 (-14.05, 13.13) 0.94 0% (0.86)
FiO2: ≥ 15% 7 -3.77 (-7.03, -0.52) < 0.05 0% (0.79)
FiO2: < 15% 3 -2.94 (-17.82, 11.93) 0.69 0% (0.68)
Hypoxic dose ≥ 50 km·h 5 -2.96 (-7.86, 1.94) 0.34 10.8% (0.34)
Hypoxic dose < 50 km·h 5 0.54 (-10.78, 11.86) 0.96 0% (0.96)
Frequency: ≥ 4 days/week 4 -1.98 (-8.84, 4.87) 0.57 32% (0.22)
Frequency: < 4 days/week 6 0.47 (-10.10, 11.05) 0.92 0% (0.51)
Session length: ≥ 60 min 8 -3.85 (-7.06, -0.64) < 0.05 0% (0.46)
Session length: < 60 min 2 2.94 (-20.98, 26.87) 0.80 0% (0.47)
HDL-C
Age: ≥ 40 years 7 1.05 (-2.68, 4.78) 0.58 0% (0.97)
Age: < 40 years 4 -6.67 (-16.00, 2.66) 0.16 51.4% (0.10)
FiO2: ≥ 15% 7 -2.55 (-9.40, 4.29) 0.46 54.4% (0.04)
FiO2: < 15% 4 0.43 (-4.52, 5.39) 0.86 5.4% (0.36)
Hypoxic dose ≥ 50 km·h 7 -2.42 (-9.12, 4.28) 0.47 65.5% (0.01)
Hypoxic dose < 50 km·h 4 -0.80 (-6.97, 5.36) 0.79 0% (0.94)
Frequency: ≥ 4 days/week 4 -4.10 (-14.09, 6.06) 0.43 78.5% (0.01)
Frequency: < 4 days/week 7 -0.73 (-5.44, 3.97) 0.76 0% (0.79)
Session length: ≥ 60 min 9 -1.24 (-6.18, 3.68) 0.62 49.9% (0.04)
Session length: < 60 min 2 -5.63 (-17.72, 6.45) 0.36 15.0% (0.27)
Training duration: ≥ 8 weeks 3 -0.53 (-10.19, 9.12) 0.91 40.8% (0.04)
Training duration: < 8 weeks 8 -2.13 (-7.54, 3.26) 0.43 51.1% (0.18)
Insulin
Age: ≥ 40 years 3 0.23 (-3.62, 4.08) 0.91 9.4% (0.33)
Age: < 40 years 2 1.03 (-2.28, 4.34) 0.54 9.5% (0.29)
FiO2: ≥ 15% 3 0.26 (-3.17, 3.69) 0.88 9.1% (0.33)
FiO2: < 15% 2 1.19 (-2.46, 4.85) 0.52 4.7% (0.31)
Session length: ≥ 60 min 3 1.37 (-1.47, 4.21) 0.34 0% (0.39)
Session length: < 60 min 2 -0.74 (-4.55, 3.07) 0.70 0% (0.38)
HOMA-IR
Age: ≥ 40 years 2 -0.04 (-0.59, 0.50) 0.88 0% (0.40)
Age: < 40 years 3 -0.19 (-0.41, 0.02) 0.08 11.7% (0.32)
FiO2: ≥ 15% 3 -0.24 (-0.35, -0.13) < 0.05 0% (0.79)
FiO2: < 15% 2 0.14 (-0.33, 0.61) 0.56 0% (0.50)
Session length: ≥ 60 min 3 -0.19 (-0.41, 0.02) 0.08 11.7% (0.32)
Session length: < 60 min 2 -0.04 (-0.59, 0.50) 0.88 0% (0.40)

N: Number of studies; CI: confidence interval; FiO2: inspired fraction of oxygen; BM: body mass; BMI: body mass index; LBM: lean body mass; FBM: fat body mass; WC: waist circumference; HC: hip circumference; WHR: waist-to-hip ratio; TC: total cholesterol; TG: triglyceride; LDL-C: low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; HDL-C: high- density lipoprotein cholesterol; HOMA-IR: homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance. Bold text signifes statistically significant results