Efficacy of four exercise modalities on body composition in overweight and obese university students: a network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Network meta-analysis finds combined aerobic-resistance exercise improves body composition in overweight university students, suggesting targeted interventions are needed.
Key Points
This meta-analysis evaluates the effectiveness of various exercise modalities on body composition outcomes in overweight and obese university students.
Conducted a network meta-analysis of 39 randomized controlled trials (RCTs)
Included 2,585 university students
Analyzed outcomes such as body mass index, body fat percentage, and waist circumference.
AE+RE improved BMI, BW, and BFM with a mean difference of 2.57 (95% CI [1.82–3.32], P < 0.001)
Aerobic exercise reduced WC by 8.44 (95% CI [1.16–15.72], P < 0.001)
HIIT led to a decrease in BFP by 4.05 (95% CI [1.05–7.05], P = 0.008)