Serum adiponectin plays a vital role in various physiological processes, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-atherosclerotic, anti-apoptotic and pro-angiogenic activities. Any abnormalities in its concentration can lead to adverse health outcomes, particularly in children and adolescents. Therefore, it is crucial to investigate factors influencing serum adiponectin concentrations in this population. The primary objective of this study was to systematically evaluate the impact of aerobic exercise on serum adiponectin concentrations in children and adolescents with obesity. To achieve this, a comprehensive literature search was conducted up to January 2023, utilising five databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library and Clinicaltrial.gov. The inclusion criteria involved studies that focused solely on aerobic exercise as an intervention for children and adolescents with obesity. Only studies that reported outcome indicators related to serum adiponectin were considered for analysis. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias (ROB) assessment tool, and statistical analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4.1 analysis software. This meta-analysis incorporated data from eight trials, involving a total of 272 subjects. The results demonstrated that aerobic training significantly increased serum adiponectin concentrations [standardized mean difference (SMD) = 0.85; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.33 to 1.37; I² = 0%; p = 0.001] in children and adolescents with obesity when compared to non-exercise controls. Furthermore, the magnitude of this effect appears to be influenced by the intensity of aerobic exercise, with higher-intensity aerobic exercise resulting in greater increases in serum adiponectin concentrations.

Background: Cardiometabolic risk factors (CRFs) are significant health concerns among adults with overweight and obesity. Resistance training (RT) is known to manage CRFs, but the impact of moderate-frequency RT (two to three times weekly) remains unclear. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing moderate-frequency RT with non-exercise control or usual care in overweight and obese adults. Searches were performed in PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library up to February 2024, following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Eligible studies included non-athletic adults (BMI ≥ 25) aged 18 years or older, with RT interventions lasting 7 weeks or longer. Results: Fifteen RCTs were included. Moderate-frequency RT significantly reduced systolic blood pressure by -4.66 mmHg (95% CI -9.34 to 0.02, p=0.01) and mean arterial pressure by -6.48 mmHg (95% CI -10.63 to -2.33, p=0.002) compared to controls. Additionally, RT significantly lowered fasting insulin levels by -12.52 mmol/L (95% CI -24.17 to -0.88, p=0.04) and HOMA-IR by -1.49 (95% CI -1.63 to -1.35, p＜0.00001). Improvements were more pronounced in participants with dietary control. Conclusion: Moderate-frequency RT effectively improves CRFs in overweight and obese adults, suggesting its potential as a beneficial intervention for this population. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42022343167.