The study notes that the magnitude of the effects

The gap

Evidence profile

Stated in the recommendations and cells research gap and cells limitations sections of the source papers, classified as general, spanning 3 journals.

Supporting evidence — 3 representative gaps

• Optimal exercise modality and dose for reducing visceral adipose tissue in overweight or obese adults: a network meta-analysis and dose-response study (2026) · BMC Sports Science Medicine and Rehabilitation · doi

  (min/wee (sessions × min/per k) ~63 ~114 week) ~3×20 ~4×15 ~4×30 ~5×20 COM = Combined aerobic and resistance training, HIIT = High-intensity interval training; Intensity coding was extracted from the Compendium of Metabolic Equivalent Values for Physical Activities in Adults: code 01305: Bicycling, high intensity interval training; Code 02035: Circuit training, moderate effort 4.3 Innovations and limitations This study provides several methodological advances over earlier meta-analyses of exercise and VAT reduction in adults with overweight or obesity. Whereas previous syntheses have relied largely on conventional pairwise meta-analysis, we combined network meta-analysis with Bayesian dose-response modelling to evaluate four exercise modalities within a unified analytical framework. This design not only enables a broader comparison of relative efficacy but also incorporates exercise dose, thereby offering more clinically relevant evidence regarding both the optimal exercise modality and the tailoring of training load at the individual level. Several limitations should also be considered. First, clinical and methodological heterogeneity existed across the included studies, with potential sources including VAT measurement method; demographic and adiposity-related characteristics such as age, sex, race/ethnicity, and obesity classification; and intervention-related factors such as intervention duration and MET-min/week. Because the number of studies available for further stratified analyses was limited, and race/ethnicity and obesity-class-specific outcomes were not consistently reported, stratification or covariate adjustment by these factors may have resulted in sparse networks and unstable estimates. Therefore, these variables were not statistically adjusted for in the primary network meta-analysis or SUCRA-based ranking, and caution is warranted when interpreting the pooled estimates and treatment rankings. As more primary studies become available, sufficiently powered subgroup analyses and meta-regression will be needed to clarify whether these factors modify the effects of exercise interventions on VAT. Second, although MET-min/week is a practical standardized metric for exercise dose, it integrates exercise intensity, session duration, and weekly frequency and therefore cannot fully disentangle the independent contribution of each intervention component. In addition, differences in progression, adherence, and supervision were not fully ARTICLE IN PRESSARTICLE IN PRESS ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT captured. Third, to isolate the independent effect of exercise, studies combining exercise with dietary interventions were excluded. However, in real-world weight management and VAT reduction programs, exercise is often implemented together with dietary modification. Therefore, the exclusion of combined exercise and dietary interventions may limit the external validity and generalizability of the findings to comprehensive lifestyle programs.

  generalstated in recommendationsevidence 5/5
  Keywords: exercise training meta intensity week combined analyses obesity dose intervention factors interventions dietary high interval
• Comparative effectiveness of aerobic training intensities in chronic stroke: a network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (2026) · Frontiers in Neurology · doi

  There is a limited number of RCTs that directly compare the therapeutic effects of aerobic exercise prescriptions of varying intensities in patients with chronic stroke. - There is a need for a systematic review and network meta-analysis to assess the effects of different aerobic exercise modalities. - There is a need to evaluate the effects of different exercise intensities on cardiopulmonary fitness and functional recovery outcomes in chronic stroke patients.

  generalstated in cells research gapevidence 5/5
  Keywords: there limited number rcts directly compare therapeutic effects
• Efficacy of exercise interventions in multiple myeloma: a systematic review and meta-analysis (2026) · Journal of Cancer Survivorship · doi

  The study notes that the magnitude of the effects observed in this meta-analysis was lower than that typically reported in exercise interventions conducted in solid tumors. - The study also notes that heterogeneity was low for several outcomes, but substantial inconsistency was observed for aerobic capacity and some strength measures. - The study has a limited number of studies and small sample sizes included in several analyses.

  generalstated in cells limitationsevidence 5/5
  Keywords: study notes magnitude effects observed meta-analysis was lower

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