Effects of Moderate-Frequency Resistance Training on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Adults With Overweight or Obesity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND

Resistance training (RT) effectively manages cardiometabolic risk factors in adults, but the specific effects of moderate-frequency RT (2-3 sessions/week) in adults with overweight or obesity are understudied.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate moderate-frequency RT's effects on cardiometabolic risk factors in this population and quantify effect sizes.

DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library searched up to July 2025.

ELIGIBILITY: English randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing RT (≥ 7 weeks) to nonexercise control; nonathletic adults ≥ 18 years with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2.

PARTICIPANTS

454 participants across 12 RCTs (mean age 58.93 ± 12.87 years; mean BMI 31.2 ± 3.5 kg/m2; ~50% female).

RESULTS

RT significantly reduced diastolic blood pressure (MD = -1.53 mmHg; 95% CI: -2.16 to -0.91; p < 0.01), LDL-C (MD = -0.25 mmol/L; 95% CI: -0.41 to -0.08; p < 0.01), and triglycerides (MD = -0.17 mmol/L; 95% CI: -0.30 to -0.04; p = 0.01). No significant effects on systolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, waist circumference, glycemic markers, total cholesterol, or HDL-C. Subgroup analyses showed larger LDL-C/triglyceride improvements with concurrent dietary control.

CONCLUSION

Moderate-frequency RT inconsistently improves cardiometabolic risk factors, benefiting diastolic blood pressure, LDL-C, and triglycerides but not glycemic or other parameters. Combining with dietary control may enhance benefits, supporting RT as a complementary strategy in multimodal lifestyle interventions.

TRIAL REGISTRATION PROSPERO: CRD42022343167.