Does Regular Exercise without Weight Loss Reduce Insulin Resistance in Children and Adolescents?

Table 1

Aerobic exercise and insulin resistance (nonrandomized controlled trials).

References

Gender

Age

Treatment

BW; (kg)

BMI; (kg/m^2)

IS

Study; Duration

Protocol

ΔBW; (kg)

ΔBMI; (kg/m^2)

ΔIS; (%)

IS; Measure

Nassis et al. [40]

19 girls

9–15

Exercise

67.9

26.8

4.34

12 wk

3 days/wk, 40 min/day; running, steps, stair climbing, and so forth; HR > 150 bpm

0.4

−0.1

1.1

HOMA-IR

Caranti et al. [48]

37 boys; 46 girls

15–19

Exercise

102.8; 92.5

36.2; 35.7

4.8; 3.6

1 yr

Exercise combined with nutrition, psychological, clinical therapy; 3 days/wk, 60 min/day; (walking, cycling, etc.)

−10.5*; −4.9*

−4.1*; −2.1*

−33.3*; −13.6

HOMA-IR

Monzavi et al. [49]

60 boys; 49 girls

8–16

Exercise

78.2

33.7

5.52

12 wk

Lifestyle intervention program; 90 min/session (weekly); 45 min of exercise; (dodge ball, jump rope, etc.); + 45 min of nutrition education

0.1

−0.5*

−32.6

HOMA-IR

Kelishadi et al. [50]

19 boys; 16 girls

12–18

Exercise

57.1

25.3

5.4

6 wk

3 days/wk, 60 min/day; (30 min fitness + 30 min of games)

−2.4*

−1.2*

−22.2*

HOMA-IR

Van der Heijden et al. [41]

17 boys; 12 girls

15.1

Obese exercise; Lean exercise

91.7; 57.2

33.7; 20.6

4.9; 1.7

12 wk

2 days/wk, 30 min/day; ≥70% of VO2 peak; treadmill, elliptical, cycle

−0.5^†; 0.8*

−0.4^†; 0.1

−16.3^*†; 11.8

HOMA-IR

BMI: body mass index; BW: body weight; HOMA-IR: homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance; IS: insulin sensitivity; Δ: Change score.
*Significantly different from baseline within each group (𝑃<0.05).
^†Significantly different from controls or other groups (𝑃<0.05).