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

Abstract

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. This study aimed to evaluate moderate-frequency RT's effects on cardiometabolic risk factors in this population and quantify effect sizes. PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library searched up to July 2025. English randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing RT (≥ 7 weeks) to nonexercise control; nonathletic adults ≥ 18 years with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m². 454 participants across 12 RCTs (mean age 58.93 ± 12.87 years; mean BMI 31.2 ± 3.5 kg/m²; ~50% female). 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. 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. CRD42022343167.