Determining the effect size of aerobic exercise training on the standard lipid profile in sedentary adults with three or more metabolic syndrome factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

Abstract

<p><b>Objectives</b> To estimate the change in the standard lipid profile (SLP) of adults diagnosed with ≥3 metabolic syndrome (MetS) factors following aerobic exercise training (AET)" and to investigate whether study/ intervention covariates are associated with this change.</p> <p><b>Design</b> Systematic review with univariate meta-analysis and meta-regression.</p> <p><b>Data sources</b> English language searches of online databases from inception until July 2020.</p> <p><b>Eligibility criteria</b> (1) Published randomised controlled human trials with study population ≥10 per group" (2) sedentary adults with ≥3 MetS factors but otherwise free of chronic disease, not pregnant/lactating" (3) AET-only intervention with duration ≥12 weeks" and (4) reporting pre–post intervention SLP outcomes.</p> <p><b>Results</b> Various univariate meta-analyses pooled 48 data sets of 2990 participants. Aerobic exercise training significantly (P<.001) improved all lipids (mmol/L mean difference ranges, 95% CIs): total cholesterol, –0.19 (– 0.26 to –0.12) to –0.29 (−0.36 to –0.21)" triglycerides, −0.17 (–0.19 to –0.14) to –0.18 (−0.24 to –0.13)" high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), 0.05 (0.03 to 0.07) to 0.10 (0.05 to 0.15)" and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), –0.12 (–0.16 to –0.9) to –0.20 (−0.25 to –0.14). Meta-regression showed that intensity may explain change in triglycerides and volume may explain change in HDL-C and LDL-C.</p> <p><b>Conclusion</b> Aerobic exercise training positively changes the SLP of sedentary and otherwise healthy adults with ≥3 MetS factors. Adjusting AET intervention training variables may increase the effects of AET on triglycerides and HDL-C.</p>