The Modulatory Effects of Combined Training on Lipid Profile Metabolism in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Context: Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide, and dyslipidemia, characterized by elevated LDL-C and triglyceride levels and reduced HDL-C levels, plays a central role. This study aimed to evaluate the independent effects of combined aerobic and resistance training on lipid metabolism in adults by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis. Evidence Acquisition: Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, we searched major databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, and identified 11 eligible intervention studies published up to July 2024. The included studies enrolled healthy or inactive adults who underwent combined exercise programs of varying durations (6 - 24 weeks). Lipid outcomes, including HDL-C, LDL-C, total cholesterol, and triglycerides, were extracted and analyzed using random-effects models. Subgroup analyses examined the influence of program duration and training composition on lipid responses. Results: Combined training led to statistically significant improvements across all lipid parameters. HDL-C increased substantially (SMD = 0.702), whereas LDL-C (SMD = -1.022), total cholesterol (SMD = -0.599), and triglycerides (SMD = -0.417) decreased. Longer programs (≥ 12 weeks) tended to produce more pronounced effects. Discussion: The findings suggest that combined aerobic and resistance training may be a promising nonpharmacological strategy for improving lipid metabolism; however, these results should be interpreted with caution given the heterogeneity among studies, methodological limitations, and small sample sizes.