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Effect of Exercise Training on Non-Exercise Physical Activity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

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Abstract

Background

Many overweight and obese individuals use exercise when attempting to lose weight. However, the improvements in weight and body composition are often far less than expected. Levels of physical activity outside of the structured exercise program are believed to change and may be responsible for the unsuccessful weight loss.

Objective

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to provide a quantitative estimate of the change in non-exercise physical activity (NEPA) during exercise interventions.

Methods

All studies included in the meta-analysis were peer-reviewed and published in English. Participants were randomized to a non-exercise comparison group or exercise training group with an intervention lasting ≥2 weeks. NEPA was measured at baseline and at various times during the study. Hedges’ d effect size (ES) was used to adjust for small sample bias, and random-effects models were used to calculate the mean ES and explore potential moderators.

Results

The cumulative results of 44 effects gathered from ten studies published between 1997 and 2015 indicated that NEPA did not change significantly during exercise training (ES = 0.02, 95% confidence interval [CI] −0.09 to 0.13; p = 0.723). Duration of the exercise session (β = −0.0039), intervention length (β = 0.0543), and an age × sex (β = −0.0005) interaction indicated that the increase in NEPA may be attenuated in older women during exercise training and during shorter exercise interventions with longer sessions (all p < 0.005).

Conclusion

On average, no statistically or clinically significant mean change in NEPA occurs during exercise training. However, session duration and intervention length, age, and sex should be accounted for when designing exercise programs to improve long-term sustainability and improve the likelihood of weight loss success, as the initial decrease in NEPA appears to dissipate with continued training.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Kinesiology, The University of Alabama, 2003 Moore Hall, Box 870312, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35487-0231, USA

    Michael V. Fedewa & Tyler D. Williams

  2. Department of Kinesiology, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA

    Elizabeth D. Hathaway & Michael D. Schmidt

  3. Department of Health and Human Performance, The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Chattanooga, TN, USA

    Elizabeth D. Hathaway

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  1. Michael V. Fedewa
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  2. Elizabeth D. Hathaway
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Correspondence to Michael V. Fedewa.

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Funding

No sources of funding were used to assist in the preparation of this article.

Conflict of interest

Michael Fedewa, Elizabeth Hathaway, Tyler Williams, and Michael Schmidt have no conflicts of interest relevant to the content of this review.

Contributor’s statement

Michael Fedewa conceptualized and designed the study, coded and analyzed effects, carried out the initial analysis, drafted the initial manuscript, and approved the final manuscript as submitted. Elizabeth Hathaway coded and analyzed effects, reviewed and revised the initial manuscript, and approved the final manuscript as submitted. Tyler Williams coded and analyzed effects, reviewed and revised the initial manuscript, and approved the final manuscript as submitted. Michael Schmidt reviewed and revised the initial manuscript and approved the final manuscript as submitted.

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Fedewa, M.V., Hathaway, E.D., Williams, T.D. et al. Effect of Exercise Training on Non-Exercise Physical Activity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Sports Med 47, 1171–1182 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-016-0649-z

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