Comparative efficacy of different exercise types on body composition in university students: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Abstract

Background: To systematically assess the impact of various exercise modalities and dosages on the body composition of college students through a comprehensive review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search of relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in eight databases, covering data from the inception of each database to August 2024. Following the literature screening, two investigators independently conducted data extraction and assessed the risk of bias. Network meta-analysis (NMA) was conducted using Stata 17.0 with random-effects modeling, while dose-response analysis was performed utilizing R version 4.3.1.

Results: A total of 43 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), encompassing 3,154 participants, were included in the analysis. Aerobic exercise, combined exercise, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), mind-body exercise, and calisthenics demonstrated significant effects on reducing body mass index (BMI) compared to control groups. Surface under the cumulative ranking (SUCRA) probability rankings indicated that calisthenics had the highest likelihood of being the most effective intervention for BMI reduction, whereas resistance exercise was associated with the lowest likelihood. The dose-response analysis revealed that the threshold exercise dose for overall exercise to lower BMI was 310 METs-min/week, with the predicted maximum significant response dose being 1,300 METs-min/week, beyond which there was minimal change in the intervention effect. Additionally, distinct nonlinear dose-response relationships were observed for aerobic exercise, combined exercise, HIIT, mind-body exercise, and aerobics.

Conclusion: No significant differences in the effectiveness of exercise interventions on body composition were observed across exercise types. However, based on the SUCRA analysis, calisthenics emerged as the preferred intervention, succeeded by a combination of exercises. The optimal exercise dosage for enhancing body composition was identified as 1,300 METs-min/week, with the threshold for a significant effect being relatively low.

Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42024587032.

Keywords: BMI; body composition; dose; exercise; network meta-analysis; obesity; systematic evaluation.

FIGURE 1

Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) flow diagram depicting the study selection process.

FIGURE 2

Network plot presenting the effects of different exercise types on body composition in university students. (A): Control; (B): Aerobic exercise; (C): Resistance exercise; (D): Combined exercise; (E): HIIT; (F): Mind-body exercise; (G): Calisthenics.

FIGURE 3

SUCRA Probability Ranking Chart, the figure shows the ranking of the effects of each exercise type on the body composition interventions. (A) Control; (B) Aerobic exercise; (C) Resistance exercise; (D) Combined exercise; (E) HIIT; (F) Mind-body exercise; (G) Calisthenics.

FIGURE 4

Funnel plot of network meta-analysis, according to this figure, the publication bias status of the included literature can be analyzed. (A) Control; (B) Aerobic exercise; (C) Resistance exercise; (D) Combined exercise; (E) HIIT; (F) Mind-body exercise; (G) Calisthenics.

FIGURE 5

Overall exercise dose-response relationship. The green line is the minimum response measure that produces a significant effect. The red line is the dose that produces the maximum response effect. The shaded area is the WHO recommended range of physical activity.

FIGURE 6

Dose-response relationship by exercise type. The black line is the minimum response measure that produces a significant effect. The shaded area is the WHO recommended range of physical activity. (A) Aerobic exercise; (B) Resistance exercise; (C) Combined exercise; (D) HIIT; (E) Mind-body exercise; (F) Calisthenics.