The Effect of Exercise Interventions on Sleep Quality and Weight Loss in Individuals with Obesity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Control Trials
Source abstract
Abstract
This study evaluated the effects of exercise interventions on sleep quality and weight loss through a systematic literature review and meta-analysis. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library for publications up to December 2022. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included in the analysis. The Risk of Bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 (ROB 2) tool, and disagreements were resolved by consensus. Data synthesis and meta-analysis were performed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Version 4 (CMA version 4) software, with outcomes expressed as pooled effect sizes, odds ratios (ORs), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Seven RCTs encompassing 908 participants were analyzed. The meta-analysis indicated a significant improvement in sleep outcomes (OR = 3.93, 95% CI [2.04, 7.56], p < 0.001). The combined aerobic and resistance exercise regimen showed the most substantial effects on sleep quality. Additionally, four of the seven RCTs included in the weight loss analysis indicated a significant improvement in weight loss (OR = 2.58, 95% CI [1.79, 3.71], p < 0.001). Exercise interventions have a strong potential for improving sleep quality and weight loss in adults with obesity. Future studies should focus on developing optimized targeted strategies for sleep enhancement.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Sleep and related disorders · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet · Physical Activity and Health
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
Institute of Sports and Arts Convergence (ISAC), Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea
School of Nursing, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea
Department of Physical Education, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
Institute for Specialized Teaching and Research, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea
Funding
Ministry of Education of the Republic of Korea · National research Foundation of Korea
References (49)
Show source-provided references
1. Obesity: Global epidemiology and pathogenesis10.1038/s41574-019-0176-8 ↗
2. Di Cesare, M., Sorić, M., Bovet, P., Miranda, J.J., Bhutta, Z., Stevens, G.A., Laxmaiah, A., Kengne, A.-P., and Bentham, J. (2019). The epidemiological burden of obesity in childhood: A worldwide epidemic requiring urgent action. BMC Med., 17.10.1186/s12916-019-1449-8 ↗
3. Individuals with obesity and COVID-19: A global perspective on the epidemiology and biological relationships10.1111/obr.13128 ↗
4. The challenge for global health systems in preventing and managing obesity10.1111/obr.12872 ↗
5. Obesity and diabetes: The increased risk of cancer and cancer-related mortality10.1152/physrev.00030.2014 ↗
6. Diabetes and cancer: Two diseases with obesity as a common risk factor10.1111/dom.12124 ↗
7. Janssen, J.A. (2021). Hyperinsulinemia and its pivotal role in aging, obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Int. J. Mol. Sci., 22.10.3390/ijms22157797 ↗
8. Burden of cancer attributable to obesity, type 2 diabetes and associated risk factors10.1016/j.metabol.2018.10.013 ↗
9. Dietary patterns and the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, asthma, and neurodegenerative diseases10.1080/10408398.2016.1158690 ↗
10. The disease burden associated with overweight and obesity10.1001/jama.282.16.1523 ↗
11. Obesity as a cardiovascular risk factor10.1016/j.amjmed.2003.08.012 ↗
12. Role of sleep and circadian disruption on energy expenditure and in metabolic predisposition to human obesity and metabolic disease10.1111/obr.12503 ↗
13. Obesity pandemic: Causes, consequences, and solutions—But do we have the will?10.1016/j.fertnstert.2017.02.104 ↗
14. Obesity and metabolic syndrome: Association with chronodisruption, sleep deprivation, and melatonin suppression10.3109/07853890.2011.586365 ↗
15. Global pandemics interconnected—Obesity, impaired metabolic health and COVID-1910.1038/s41574-020-00462-1 ↗
16. Interactions between sleep, stress, and metabolism: From physiological to pathological conditions10.1016/j.slsci.2015.09.002 ↗
17. Obesity, obstructive sleep apnoea and metabolic syndrome10.1111/j.1440-1843.2011.02081.x ↗
18. Role of sleep duration in the regulation of glucose metabolism and appetite10.1016/j.beem.2010.07.005 ↗
19. Sleep and metabolic function10.1007/s00424-011-1053-z ↗
20. Effects of poor and short sleep on glucose metabolism and obesity risk10.1038/nrendo.2009.23 ↗
21. Lee, Y., Kim, N., Go, S., Kim, J., and Park, J. (2024). Sugary snack restriction enhances body composition improvement in overweight women engaging in non-face-to-face walking during COVID-19. Front. Public Health, 12.10.3389/fpubh.2024.1396598 ↗
22. Physical exercise as therapy for type 2 diabetes mellitus10.1002/dmrr.2514 ↗
23. Readjustment of circadian clocks by exercise intervention is a potential therapeutic target for sleep disorders: A narrative review10.20463/pan.2024.0014 ↗
24. Effects of exercise timing and intensity on physiological circadian rhythm and sleep quality: A systematic review10.20463/pan.2023.0029 ↗
25. The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews10.1186/s13643-021-01626-4 ↗
26. Evaluation of the Cochrane tool for assessing risk of bias in randomized clinical trials: Overview of published comments and analysis of user practice in Cochrane and non-Cochrane reviews10.1186/s13643-016-0259-8 ↗
27. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index: A new instrument for psychiatric practice and research10.1016/0165-1781(89)90047-4 ↗
28. Dieli-Conwright, C.M., Sami, N., Norris, M.K., Wan, J., Kumagai, H., Kim, S.-J., and Cohen, P. (2021). Effect of aerobic and resistance exercise on the mitochondrial peptide MOTS-c in Hispanic and Non-Hispanic White breast cancer survivors. Sci. Rep., 11.10.1038/s41598-021-96419-z ↗
29. Exercise training improves selected aspects of daytime functioning in adults with obstructive sleep apnea10.5664/jcsm.2022 ↗
30. The effect of exercise training on obstructive sleep apnea and sleep quality: A randomized controlled trial10.5665/sleep.1422 ↗
31. Effects of aerobic exercise on home-based sleep among overweight and obese men with chronic insomnia symptoms: A randomized controlled trial10.1016/j.sleep.2016.02.010 ↗
32. Effects of Combined Training With Linear Periodization and Non-Periodization on Sleep Quality of Adults With Obesity10.1080/02701367.2020.1817294 ↗
33. Improved Sleep Quality and Depressive Symptoms With Exercise Training in Obese Women From a Low Socioeconomic Community: A Randomized Controlled Trial10.1123/jpah.2020-0648 ↗
34. Effects of Nordic walking on health-related quality of life in overweight individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus, impaired or normal glucose tolerance10.1111/j.1464-5491.2011.03348.x ↗
35. Risk-of-bias VISualization (robvis): An R package and Shiny web app for visualizing risk-of-bias assessments10.1002/jrsm.1411 ↗
36. Xie, Y., Liu, S., Chen, X.-J., Yu, H.-H., Yang, Y., and Wang, W. (2021). Effects of exercise on sleep quality and insomnia in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Front. Psychiatry, 12.10.3389/fpsyt.2021.664499 ↗
37. Exercise and sleep: A systematic review of previous meta-analyses10.1111/jebm.12236 ↗
38. Health benefits of physical activity: The evidence10.1503/cmaj.051351 ↗
39. Aerobic exercise, ball sports, dancing, and weight lifting as moderators of the relationship between stress and depressive symptoms: An exploratory cross-sectional study with swiss university students10.2466/06.PMS.119c26z4 ↗
40. The effects of physical activity on cortisol and sleep: A systematic review and meta-analysis10.1016/j.psyneuen.2022.105843 ↗
41. The effects of acute exercise on sleep: A quantitative synthesis10.1093/sleep/20.3.203 ↗
42. Comparative efficacy of exercise regimens on sleep quality in older adults: A systematic review and network meta-analysis10.1016/j.smrv.2022.101673 ↗
43. Exercise training improves sleep quality in middle-aged and older adults with sleep problems: A systematic review10.1016/S1836-9553(12)70106-6 ↗
44. Effect of exercise training in heart rate variability, anxiety, depression, and sleep quality in kidney recipients: A preliminary study10.1177/1359105316676329 ↗
45. Feasibility of an intradialytic combined exercise program targeting older adults with end-stage renal disease10.1123/japa.2020-0359 ↗
46. The effects of physical activity on sleep: A meta-analytic review10.1007/s10865-015-9617-6 ↗
47. Lee, H.S., and Lee, J. (2021). Effects of exercise interventions on weight, body mass index, lean body mass and accumulated visceral fat in overweight and obese individuals: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 18.10.3390/ijerph18052635 ↗
48. Effect of high-intensity interval training on total, abdominal and visceral fat mass: A meta-analysis10.1007/s40279-017-0807-y ↗
49. Amare, F., Alemu, Y., Enichalew, M., Demilie, Y., and Adamu, S. (2024). Effects of aerobic, resistance, and combined exercise training on body fat and glucolipid metabolism in inactive middle-aged adults with overweight or obesity: A randomized trial. BMC Sports Sci. Med. Rehabil., 16.10.1186/s13102-024-00982-7 ↗