There is a limited number of RCTs that directly compare the therapeutic effects of aerobic exercise prescriptions of varying intensities

The gap

Evidence profile

Sourced from the recommendations and future work and stated research gap 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.

  generalrecommendations
  Keywords: exercise training meta intensity week combined analyses obesity dose intervention factors interventions dietary high interval
• Exercise modalities for adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity: comparative effects on visceral fat, metabolism, and inflammatory markers from a network meta-analysis (2026) · Frontiers in Immunology · doi

  The comprehensive evidence from this study suggests that multiple exercise intervention strategies can improve abdominal fat distribution, lipid metabolism status, and inflammatory factor levels in obese patients with T2DM, relatively independent of changes in total energy intake. Among these, aerobic combined with resistance training, especially when integrated into compre- hensive programs alongside other effective interventions, demon- strated more consistent and superior outcomes. In clinical practice, healthcare professionals should prioritize structured, comprehen- sive exercise intervention strategies tailored to patients’ individual characteristics and metabolic profiles to maximize exercise’s role in metabolic management. While this study confirms the efficacy of various exercise interventions in improving relevant metabolic indicators, future research requires larger-scale, rigorously designed multicenter randomized controlled trials to further clarify optimal exercise combinations and their long-term intervention effects.

  generalfuture work
  Keywords: exercise intervention metabolic strategies patients interventions comprehensive evidence suggests multiple improve abdominal distribution lipid metabolism
• 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 research gapevidence 5/5
  Keywords: there limited number rcts directly compare therapeutic effects

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