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Aerobic exercise and high-intensity interval training reduce fat mass in women with overweight or obesityVigorous aerobic exercise shows best results for reducing body fat

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Key Takeaway
Consider aerobic and high-intensity interval training to reduce body fat percentage in women with overweight or obesity.

This systematic review and network meta-analysis synthesized evidence from randomized controlled trials involving 2,315 adult women with overweight or obesity. The study evaluated various structured exercise modalities, including aerobic training, resistance training, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and whole-body vibration training to assess impacts on body composition.

Key findings indicate that aerobic exercise across varying intensities, along with HIIT and combined aerobic and resistance training, were associated with greater reductions in body fat percentage compared to control conditions. Specifically, vigorous aerobic exercise was identified as the most favorable modality for reducing body mass index. For fat mass reduction, HIIT appeared most favorable. Additionally, moderate to vigorous intensity aerobic exercise showed the most favorable results for reducing waist circumference.

Regarding lean body mass, no intervention was associated with statistically significant improvements compared with control conditions; however, resistance training demonstrated a comparatively favorable ranking profile. The authors note that while aerobic-based modalities effectively improve adiposity in this population, effects on lean mass are limited. Clinical application should consider these findings to guide exercise prescriptions for women seeking to manage body composition.

How this fits prior evidence

This finding extends the evidence regarding exercise interventions and adiposity in populations with overweight or obesity. It specifically builds upon prior coverage indicating that exercise interventions may improve adiposity and physical function in middle-aged or older adults with sarcopenic obesity, while confirming that aerobic-based modalities are effective for reducing fat mass in women.

Finding the right way to manage weight can feel overwhelming when there are so many different types of workouts available. New data comparing various exercise styles helps clarify which methods might work best for women dealing with overweight or obesity.

Researchers looked at 2,315 women and compared several types of training. They found that vigorous aerobic exercise was the most effective way to lower body mass index (BMI) and reduce overall body fat percentage. While high-intensity interval training showed a favorable ranking for reducing total fat mass, it was the intense aerobic work that stood out for general body composition.

Other factors like waist circumference improved most with moderate to vigorous aerobic exercise. When looking at lean body mass—the weight of muscles and bones—none of the programs showed a statistically significant improvement over control groups, though resistance training ranked slightly better than other options in that category.

What this means for you:
Vigorous aerobic exercise is the most effective way for women with overweight or obesity to reduce body fat.

Common questions

What type of exercise is best for reducing body fat?

For women with overweight or obesity, vigorous aerobic exercise showed the highest probability of benefit for reducing body fat percentage. High-intensity interval training also appeared favorable specifically for reducing total fat mass.

Does resistance training help build muscle?

While no specific exercise program showed a statistically significant improvement in lean body mass compared to control groups, resistance training did have a more favorable ranking profile than other types of exercise for this measure.

Which exercise is best for reducing waist size?

The data suggests that moderate to vigorous intensity aerobic exercise appears most favorable for reducing waist circumference in women with overweight or obesity.

Study Details

Study typeSystematic review
EvidenceLevel 1
PublishedJun 2026
View Original Abstract ↓
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effects of different types of exercise on body composition in women with overweight or obesity and to compare the relative effectiveness of these interventions using a systematic review and network meta-analysis. DESIGN: Systematic review and network meta-analysis using the CINeMA (Confidence in Network Meta-Analysis) approach. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, SportsDiscus, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science and Scopus were searched through September 2025. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES: We included randomised controlled trials enrolling adult women with overweight or obesity that evaluated structured exercise interventions, including aerobic exercise, resistance training, aerobic exercise with resistance training, high-intensity interval training or whole-body vibration training. Eligible studies compared these interventions with control conditions or other exercise modalities and reported at least one body composition outcome, including body fat percentage, body mass index, fat mass, lean body mass or waist circumference. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Two independent reviewers used standardised methods to search, screen and code included studies. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration and Evidence Project tools. Network meta-analysis was conducted using random effects models. Confidence in the estimates was assessed using the CINeMA approach. RESULTS: 43 randomised controlled trials involving 2315 women were included. For body fat percentage, aerobic exercise with resistance training, high-intensity interval training and aerobic exercise across varying intensities were associated with greater reductions relative to control conditions, with vigorous aerobic exercise showing the highest probability of benefit. A similar pattern was observed for other adiposity-related outcomes: vigorous aerobic exercise appeared most favourable for body mass index, high-intensity interval training for fat mass and moderate to vigorous intensity aerobic exercise for waist circumference. No intervention was associated with statistically significant improvements in lean body mass compared with control; however, resistance training demonstrated a comparatively favourable ranking profile. CONCLUSIONS: Structured exercise confers meaningful improvements in adiposity among women, particularly with aerobic-based modalities, whereas effects on lean mass remain limited. These results underscore the importance of tailored exercise strategies for optimising body composition in female populations. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD420251161064.
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