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Focus on Exercise Physiology and Sports Performance: 2nd Edition
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Focus on Exercise Physiology and Sports Performance: 2nd Edition

A special issue of Life (ISSN 2075-1729). This special issue belongs to the section "Physiology and Pathology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2025 | Viewed by 10090

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Laikang Yu

E-Mail
Guest Editor
Department of Strength and Conditioning Assessment and Monitoring, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China
Interests: exercise physiology; neuroscience; Alzheimer’s disease; strength and conditioning training; health promotion
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to announce a Special Issue titled “Focus on Exercise Physiology and Sports Performance: 2nd Edition”. Exercise physiology and sports performance explore the intricate relationship between physical activity, the body's physiological responses, and athletic performance. The study of how the body functions during exercise is central to this field.

Exercise physiology examines the physiological changes that occur in the muscular, cardiovascular, respiratory, and metabolic systems as the body responds to the demands of physical activity. This understanding enables us to design effective training programs aimed at specific physiological adaptations, leading to improved performance and reduced risk of injury. However, sports performance focuses on the practical application of these physiological principles in real-world sports settings. It involves the study of techniques, strategies, and training methods that can help athletes reach their peak performance. This includes the analysis of athlete's biomechanics, the use of technological advancements in performance monitoring, and the development of recovery and nutrition plans that support optimal training and competition.

The goal of this Special Issue is to bring together the latest research that underlines how the body adapts to exercise and provides insights into how training can enhance performance and optimize athlete's capabilities. We invite researchers and experts in related fields to submit their work and contribute to this Special Issue. Submissions of original research articles and review articles are invited.

Given that the first edition of this Special Issue was a great success, we now invite you to publish in the second edition (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/life/special_issues/T0OIL0J01Y).

Dr. Laikang Yu
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Life is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • exercise
  • physical activity
  • nutrition
  • exercise physiology
  • sports performance

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 754 KiB  
Article
Effects of Inspiratory Muscle Training on Respiratory Muscle Strength, Lactate Accumulation and Exercise Tolerance in Amateur Runners: A Randomized Controlled Trial
by Zhe Ren, Junxia Guo, Yurong He, Yu Luo and Hao Wu
Life 2025, 15(5), 705; https://doi.org/10.3390/life15050705 (registering DOI) - 27 Apr 2025
Viewed by 185
Abstract
Objective: This study investigated the dose–response relationship of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on respiratory muscle strength, lactic acid accumulation and exercise tolerance in amateur runners. Methods: Thirty male amateur runners were randomly assigned to three groups: a high-intensity IMT (HIMT) group, a low-intensity [...] Read more.
Objective: This study investigated the dose–response relationship of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on respiratory muscle strength, lactic acid accumulation and exercise tolerance in amateur runners. Methods: Thirty male amateur runners were randomly assigned to three groups: a high-intensity IMT (HIMT) group, a low-intensity IMT (LIMT) group, and a control group. In addition to their regular training regimen, the high-intensity and low-intensity IMT groups underwent a supervised IMT protocol for a duration of 8 weeks. The primary outcome measures included maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), time to exhaustion (TTE), blood lactate (BLa), rate of perceived exertion (RPE), and rate of perceived breathlessness (RPB). Secondary outcomes encompassed VO2 max, forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and the FEV1/FVC ratio. Results: After 8 weeks of IMT, the MIP of HIMT and LIMT were significantly improved (p < 0.01), and the MEP of both groups also increased (p < 0.01). There were no significant changes in FVC and FEV1 (p > 0.05), but only FEV1/FVC in HIMT was significantly improved (p < 0.01). Exercise testing showed a significant increase in TTE in both the HIMT and low LIMT groups (p < 0.01). Post-exercise RPE scores were lower in both the HIMT group (p < 0.01) and LIMT group (p < 0.05), and both HIMT and LIMT groups’ post-exercise RPB scores were also reduced in both (p < 0.05). In addition, blood lactate accumulation was significantly lower in both HIMT (p < 0.01) and LIMT (p < 0.05). There were no significant changes in VO2 max (p > 0.05) and HR peak (p > 0.05). Conclusion: IMT for 8 weeks can improve respiratory muscle strength, prolong exercise time, improve blood lactate accumulation, subjective fatigue, and dyspnea during exercise. Among them, high-intensity IMT can better improve exercise tolerance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Focus on Exercise Physiology and Sports Performance: 2nd Edition)
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13 pages, 537 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Specific Treadmill Protocol on Aerobic Performance Parameters in Flat-Terrain-Trained Athletes
by Ming-Chang Tsai, Edward Lin and Scott Thomas
Life 2025, 15(4), 569; https://doi.org/10.3390/life15040569 - 1 Apr 2025
Viewed by 327
Abstract
This study examined the differences in physiological, metabolic and running dynamics responses between level and inclined treadmill protocols and their implications for accurately determining training intensities. Twenty-three healthy, active adults (18 male and 5 female) from 25 to 59 years old (age: 42.7 [...] Read more.
This study examined the differences in physiological, metabolic and running dynamics responses between level and inclined treadmill protocols and their implications for accurately determining training intensities. Twenty-three healthy, active adults (18 male and 5 female) from 25 to 59 years old (age: 42.7 years, height: 1.77 m, body mass: 71.9 kg, VO2max: 54.3 mL·kg−1·min−1) completed both protocols. Physiological markers (gas exchange threshold (GET), respiratory compensation point (RCP), VO2max), metabolic variables (HR, VO2, VCO2, RER, VE, speed) and running dynamic variables (running economy (RE), stride length (SL), ground contact time (GCT), cadence) were measured and matched for the external work rate at each stage. The data were analyzed using one-way repeated measures ANOVA with Tukey’s post hoc procedure. No significant differences were observed in the physiological markers for the inclined and flat protocols across all the intensities. However, the metabolic variables showed significant differences (p = 0.0333 to <0.0001) between the inclined and flat protocols at higher intensities. The RE was consistently improved in the flat protocol compared with the inclined protocol, with significant differences observed at the high-intensity stages (p = 0.0232 to <0.0001). While the physiological markers remained unaffected, metabolic responses and running kinematics differed significantly between the protocols. These results highlight that training intensity zones derived from inclined protocols may not be appropriate for flat terrain training, underlining the importance of testing specificity in athlete preparation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Focus on Exercise Physiology and Sports Performance: 2nd Edition)
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18 pages, 1516 KiB  
Article
Acute Effects of Rest Redistribution Training on Physical and Physiological Responses in Anxious Female College Students
by Weihao Cheng, Ran Li, Runsheng Yan, Ruoya Liu and Zeyu Gao
Life 2025, 15(4), 555; https://doi.org/10.3390/life15040555 - 28 Mar 2025
Viewed by 339
Abstract
(1) Background: This study compares the immediate effects of Rest Redistribution Training (RR) and Traditional Set Structure Training (TS) on vertical jump performance, heart rate variability (HRV), and perceived exertion (RPE) in anxious female college students. (2) Methods: In a randomized experimental design, [...] Read more.
(1) Background: This study compares the immediate effects of Rest Redistribution Training (RR) and Traditional Set Structure Training (TS) on vertical jump performance, heart rate variability (HRV), and perceived exertion (RPE) in anxious female college students. (2) Methods: In a randomized experimental design, 14 anxious female college students (ages 18–25, screened via Zung’s Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) with scores ≥50) underwent a familiarization session followed by two trials involving either a RR or TS conditioning routine. Vertical jump, HRV, and RPE were measured pre- and post-session, and during training, respectively. (3) Results: Both protocols induced significant decrements in squat jump (SJs) and countermovement jump (CMJs) metrics (p < 0.05), but no statistically significant between-group differences emerged (p > 0.05; SJ height: d = 0.059, 95% CI [−0.05, 0.05]; CMJ peak power: d = 0.253, 95% CI [−0.02, 0.02]). TS induced significant decreases in time-domain HRV indices (SDNN: d = 0.888, 95% CI [1.07, 16.13; RMSSD: d = 1.511, 95% CI [8.87, 27.63]) and high-frequency power (HF: d = 0.788, 95% CI [2.73, 379.71]), whereas RR preserved these indices. RR significantly reduced RPE compared to TS (p < 0.05; barbell bench press: d = 1.132, 95% CI [0.28, 1.48]; leg press: d = 0.784, 95% CI [0.01, 1.31]). (4) Conclusions: RR and TS protocols induced comparable decrements in vertical jump performance among untrained anxious female college students under equivalent loads; however, RR demonstrated superior autonomic regulation, reduced perceived fatigue, and equivalent performance outcomes, highlighting its potential as a low-stress alternative to traditional resistance training for anxiety-prone populations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Focus on Exercise Physiology and Sports Performance: 2nd Edition)
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10 pages, 246 KiB  
Article
Polymorphisms of PPARα and ACTN3 Among Adolescent Egyptian Athletes: A Case–Control Study
by Wael Ramadan, Rehan Monir, Ola El-Emam, Mohamed Diab and Dalia Shaheen
Life 2025, 15(3), 477; https://doi.org/10.3390/life15030477 - 16 Mar 2025
Viewed by 418
Abstract
Background: Athletic performance is a complex phenotype affected by individual traits, environmental conditions, training, and genetics. The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPARα) and alpha-actinin-3 (ACTN3) are two genes with the potential to influence human performance. The objective of the present study was to assess [...] Read more.
Background: Athletic performance is a complex phenotype affected by individual traits, environmental conditions, training, and genetics. The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPARα) and alpha-actinin-3 (ACTN3) are two genes with the potential to influence human performance. The objective of the present study was to assess the genotype frequencies of ACTN3 (R/X) and PPARα (G/C) and to conduct a comparison of these frequencies among Egyptian adolescent athletes. Methods: This case–control study involved 228 individuals (118 elite-level athletes and 110 sedentary controls). Results: This study identified a statistically significant increase in the frequencies of the ACTN3 ‘R’ allele (77.5% compared to 55.9%; p < 0.001) and the PPARα ‘C’ allele (86.4% compared to 14.1%; p < 0.001) among athletes relative to the control groups. A similar pattern was noted for adolescent athletes in comparison to the control group in terms of both the R/R genotype (61.9% compared to 27.3%; p < 0.001) and the C/C genotype (80.5% compared to 2.7%; p < 0.001). In conclusion, these results imply that polymorphisms in ACTN3 and PPARα could be significant predictors for assessing the performance of adolescent Egyptian athletes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Focus on Exercise Physiology and Sports Performance: 2nd Edition)
14 pages, 2515 KiB  
Article
Coordination Patterns and Energy Flow Analysis in Sit-to-Stand Transitions Among Individuals with Different Body Mass Indexes
by Lei Li, Xuan Liu and Ye Liu
Life 2025, 15(3), 464; https://doi.org/10.3390/life15030464 - 14 Mar 2025
Viewed by 403
Abstract
Background: This study investigates the differences in limb coordination patterns and energy transfer strategies during sit-to-stand (STS) transitions among young adults (18–30 years) with overweight (OW), normal weight (NW), and underweight (UW) conditions, providing a theoretical foundation for understanding the impact of BMI [...] Read more.
Background: This study investigates the differences in limb coordination patterns and energy transfer strategies during sit-to-stand (STS) transitions among young adults (18–30 years) with overweight (OW), normal weight (NW), and underweight (UW) conditions, providing a theoretical foundation for understanding the impact of BMI variations on movement control mechanisms and informing health intervention strategies. Methods: Forty participants were classified into OW, NW, and UW groups. Motion data were collected via an infrared motion capture system and force plate. Biomechanical indices were computed using Visual 3D and MATLAB2020a. Coordination patterns were assessed using vector coding, and the segmental net power was analyzed to evaluate energy flow during STS. Statistical analyses were performed using one-way ANOVA (α = 0.05). Results: Compared to the NW and UW groups, the OW group exhibited significant differences in movement coordination patterns and energy flow. In terms of coordination patterns, the OW group adopted more hip-knee distal coordination patterns in the FMP phase and more knee-ankle proximal coordination patterns. In the MTP phase, the OW group exhibited a lower frequency of hip-ankle anti-phase coordination patterns compared to the UW group. In the EP phase, the OW group showed a lower frequency of trunk-pelvis proximal coordination patterns than the UW group (p < 0.05). Regarding energy flow, in the FMP phase, the OW group exhibited higher joint power (JP) and segment power (SP) in the trunk compared to the UW group. In the pelvic segment, both JP and SP were higher in the OW group than in the NW and UW groups. In the thigh segment, muscle power (MP) was higher in the OW group than in the NW and UW groups, and SP was higher than in the NW group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Changes in BMI affect movement coordination and energy transfer strategies during STS. OW individuals compensate for insufficient hip drive by relying on trunk and pelvic power, which may increase the knee and trunk load over time. In contrast, UW individuals exhibit greater lower-limb flexibility and rely on trunk-pelvis coordination to compensate for stability deficits. Future research should develop targeted exercise interventions to optimize movement patterns and reduce injury risk across BMI groups. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Focus on Exercise Physiology and Sports Performance: 2nd Edition)
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12 pages, 935 KiB  
Article
Effects of Different Blood Flow Restriction Training Modes on Body Composition and Maximal Strength of Untrained Individuals
by Hualong Chang, Xudong Yang, Biao Chen and Jianli Zhang
Life 2024, 14(12), 1666; https://doi.org/10.3390/life14121666 - 16 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1334
Abstract
Background: The objective of this study was to examine the impacts of absolute cuff pressure blood flow restriction (A-BFR) training and incremental cuff pressure blood flow restriction (I-BFR) training, under equal cuff pressures, on body composition and maximal strength among untrained adults. Additionally, [...] Read more.
Background: The objective of this study was to examine the impacts of absolute cuff pressure blood flow restriction (A-BFR) training and incremental cuff pressure blood flow restriction (I-BFR) training, under equal cuff pressures, on body composition and maximal strength among untrained adults. Additionally, we aimed to compare these effects with those observed in high-load resistance training (HL-RT). Methods: Thirty-three adults without prior professional sports or resistance training experience were recruited and randomly assigned to three groups (n = 11 per group) for an 8-week training program, held three times weekly. The A-BFR group trained with a 20% 1RM load and a cuff occlusion pressure set at 190 mmHg. The I-BFR group initiated training with an occlusion pressure of 160 mmHg, which incrementally increased by 20 mmHg every two weeks, with other conditions mirroring those of the A-BFR group. The HL-RT group trained with a 70% 1RM load. Results: All three groups demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in lower-body maximal strength (p < 0.01), with no significant differences observed among the groups (p > 0.05). A notable increase in left-leg muscle mass was seen across all groups (p < 0.05). However, total muscle mass, right-leg muscle mass, fat-free mass, BMI, bone mineral density, and bone mineral content remained relatively unchanged (p > 0.05), with no significant differences among the groups (p > 0.05). Only the HL-RT group exhibited a significant increase in left-leg thigh circumference (p < 0.05), while right-leg thigh circumference remained stable (p > 0.05), with no significant intergroup differences (p > 0.05). Conclusions: While A-BFR and I-BFR did not yield statistically significant differences in overall training outcomes, A-BFR demonstrated a slightly stronger potential. A-BFR and I-BFR achieved comparable gains in muscle strength and improvements in body composition to those seen with HL-RT. However, HL-RT demonstrated more significant improvements in leg circumference. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Focus on Exercise Physiology and Sports Performance: 2nd Edition)
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Review

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18 pages, 5562 KiB  
Review
Impact of Altitude Training on Athletes’ Aerobic Capacity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Lin Deng, Yuhang Liu, Baili Chen, Jiawan Hou, Ao Liu and Xiaoyi Yuan
Life 2025, 15(2), 305; https://doi.org/10.3390/life15020305 - 17 Feb 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1891
Abstract
Purpose: This study systematically evaluated the effects of altitude training on athletes’ aerobic capacity, focusing on optimal training modalities and intervention durations. Methods: Eight databases (CNKI, CSPD, PubMed, Ovid Medline, ProQuest, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Scopus) were searched for randomized controlled trials on [...] Read more.
Purpose: This study systematically evaluated the effects of altitude training on athletes’ aerobic capacity, focusing on optimal training modalities and intervention durations. Methods: Eight databases (CNKI, CSPD, PubMed, Ovid Medline, ProQuest, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Scopus) were searched for randomized controlled trials on altitude training and aerobic capacity following PRISMA guidelines, covering publications up to 15 October 2024. The risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane tools, and a meta-analysis was conducted using Review Manager 5.4 with a random-effects model. Sensitivity and subgroup analyses were performed to identify heterogeneity and influencing factors. Results: Thirteen studies involving 276 participants (aged 18–35) were included. Meta-analysis revealed that compared to low-altitude training, altitude training significantly increased hemoglobin (SMD = 0.7, 95% CI: 0.27–1.13, p = 0.03) and hemoglobin mass (SMD = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.1–0.89, p = 0.16) but had no significant effect on maximal oxygen uptake (SMD = −0.13, 95% CI: −1.21–0.96, p = 0.68). Altitude training also improved performance in trial tests (SMD = −28.73, 95% CI: −58.69–1.23, p = 0.002). Sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of hemoglobin and trial test results. Subgroup analysis showed that the “live high, train high” (LHTH) approach and interventions lasting longer than three weeks were most effective in enhancing aerobic capacity. Conclusions: Altitude training improves athletes’ aerobic capacity by enhancing hematological indicators and trial test performance, though its impact on maximal oxygen uptake is minimal. LHTH and interventions exceeding three weeks yield superior outcomes. However, the findings are limited by the number and quality of the available studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Focus on Exercise Physiology and Sports Performance: 2nd Edition)
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Other

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18 pages, 4575 KiB  
Systematic Review
The Impact of Exercise Training in a Hypobaric/Normobaric Hypoxic Environment on Cardiometabolic Health in Adults with Overweight or Obesity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Peng Liu, Hao Chen, Yidi Deng and Xin Jiang
Life 2025, 15(4), 566; https://doi.org/10.3390/life15040566 - 31 Mar 2025
Viewed by 454
Abstract
This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to comprehensively evaluate the effects of hypoxic training (HT) versus normoxic training (NT) on cardiometabolic health parameters in overweight or obese adults. Searches were performed in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library. A [...] Read more.
This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to comprehensively evaluate the effects of hypoxic training (HT) versus normoxic training (NT) on cardiometabolic health parameters in overweight or obese adults. Searches were performed in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library. A meta-analysis was performed using Stata 18 and RevMan 5.4 software. Seventeen randomized controlled studies involving 517 participants were included. HT significantly improved cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and reduced systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Compared with NT, HT demonstrated a significant difference in CRF, but no significant differences were observed in SBP and DBP. The subgroup analysis of CRF revealed that HT significantly outperformed NT in six aspects: participants aged < 45 years (Hedges’ g = 0.50), an intervention duration of 8 weeks (Hedges’ g = 0.43), three sessions per week (Hedges’ g = 0.40), each session lasting < 45 min (Hedges’ g = 0.23), FiO2 levels > 15% (Hedges’ g = 0.69), and high-load-intensity exercise (Hedges’ g = 0.57). HT demonstrated favorable effects in improving cardiometabolic health among overweight or obese adults. Compared with NT, this advantage was primarily reflected in CRF while the impacts on SBP and DBP were similar. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Focus on Exercise Physiology and Sports Performance: 2nd Edition)
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16 pages, 3694 KiB  
Systematic Review
Effect of Eccentric Training with Different Durations, Intensities, and Contraction Velocities on Upper Limb Muscle Strength: A Meta-Analysis
by Zhe Bai, Dong Zhang, Dongxue Liang, Xiaoke Chen, Xinyu Shi and Shu Chen
Life 2025, 15(3), 456; https://doi.org/10.3390/life15030456 - 13 Mar 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1526
Abstract
Eccentric training may be more effective for muscle strength, but the optimal duration, intensity, and contraction velocity for improving upper limb strength remain unclear. We conducted a search across four databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane) to evaluate the impact of [...] Read more.
Eccentric training may be more effective for muscle strength, but the optimal duration, intensity, and contraction velocity for improving upper limb strength remain unclear. We conducted a search across four databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane) to evaluate the impact of eccentric training on upper limb skeletal muscle strength. A meta-analysis using standardized mean differences (SMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was performed. The results from 11 studies involving 368 participants indicated that eccentric training significantly enhanced upper limb strength (SMD = 0.55, CI: 0.32–0.79). Subgroup analysis showed a slight increase in strength in the 1–4 week period (SMD = 0.38, CI: 0.02–0.73), a significant increase in the 4–8 week period (SMD = 0.69, CI: 0.27–1.10), and a substantial increase at 20 weeks (SMD = 0.71, CI: 0.22–1.21). Moderate intensity showed moderate improvements (SMD = 0.47, CI: 0.18–0.77), while high intensity led to significant adaptations (SMD = 0.70, CI: 0.30–1.10). Rapid eccentric contractions (SMD = 0.70, CI: 0.39–1.02) outperformed slow contractions (SMD = 0.35, CI: −0.01–0.71). Eccentric training is effective, with significant results generally requiring 4–8 weeks of high-intensity rapid eccentric training. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Focus on Exercise Physiology and Sports Performance: 2nd Edition)
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25 pages, 16828 KiB  
Systematic Review
Effects of Aerobic Exercise on Blood Lipids in People with Overweight or Obesity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
by Zhuying Chen, Runyu Zhou, Xiaojie Liu, Jingqi Wang, Leiyuyang Wang, Yuanyuan Lv and Laikang Yu
Life 2025, 15(2), 166; https://doi.org/10.3390/life15020166 - 24 Jan 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2155
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the effects of aerobic exercise (AE) on triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels in people with overweight or obesity. Searches were performed in PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, and Web of Science, covering [...] Read more.
This study aimed to investigate the effects of aerobic exercise (AE) on triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels in people with overweight or obesity. Searches were performed in PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, and Web of Science, covering data up to 27 October 2023. A meta-analysis was conducted to determine the standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval. Nineteen studies met the inclusion criteria. AE significantly improved blood lipids in people with overweight or obesity (TG: SMD = −0.54; p < 0.00001; TC: SMD = −0.24; p = 0.003; HDL: SMD = 0.33; p = 0.003; LDL: SMD = −0.42; p = 0.0005). Both moderate-intensity and vigorous-intensity AE demonstrated significant impacts in reducing TC, TG, and LDL, whereas only moderate-intensity exercise significantly elevated HDL. Additionally, AE significantly optimized blood lipids in those with overweight, with TG being the only parameter showing improvement in individuals with obesity. Moreover, continuous AE notably improved HDL and TG, while interval AE significantly reduced TG, TC, and LDL. Lastly, a clear positive correlation emerged between the duration of the intervention and the decrease in LDL, and a distinct negative correlation was observed between session duration and the reduction of LDL. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Focus on Exercise Physiology and Sports Performance: 2nd Edition)
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