The Effect of Aerobic and Resistance Training and Combined Exercise Modalities on Subcutaneous Abdominal Fat: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials
In recent years, there is an increase in the prevalence of obesity worldwide. It is predicted that by 2040 the prevalence of obesity will increase by three-fold in the Indian population. Due to the Asian Indian phenotype, Indians are more prone to collect abdominal fat. Central abdominal fat has been shown to be a risk factor for metabolic syndrome. Approximately 80% of the abdominal fat is composed of subcutaneous fat.
The review study conducted by author Habib Yarizadeh and colleagues (2020) entitled, “The Effect of Aerobic and Resistance Training and Combined Exercise Modalities on Subcutaneous Abdominal Fat: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials” published in the journal “Advances in Sports Nutrition” speaks about exercise and its effect of subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT). Below is a summary of the study:
Objective
To review the evidence of the effect of aerobic exercise, resistance training, and combined exercise modalities on subcutaneous abdominal fat.
To summarize the findings of available a meta-analysis.
Method
Relevant published articles up to November 2018 were selected. Based on the eligibility criteria, 43 articles were shortlisted for this review.
Findings
When compared with controls, aerobic training, resistance training as well as combined exercise training significantly reduced subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) (p<0.001). Furthermore, when the effect of aerobic training was compared with that of resistance training, no significant reduction in SAT was noticed (p=0.006). However, when effect of aerobic training was compared with that of combined exercise training, SAT was decreased more with combined exercise training (p=0.019).
A meta-analysis of the relevant articles also concluded that all three forms of exercise showed a reduction in SAT.
Limitations
The authors acknowledged that the review was riddled with some limitations. There was significant variability due to differences in exercise prescription. The authors added that it is difficult to conduct a blinded intervention as participants are aware of whether they train or not. Moreover, the authors noted that the activities performed outside of the intervention can act as confounding factors.
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