Comparative efficacy of exercise modalities on cardiometabolic health in older adults: A systematic review and network meta-analysis
In brief
Five exercise types ranked highest for different heart-health measures in older adults
Across 57 trials involving 3,655 adults aged 60 and older, different exercise types ranked highest for different outcomes: traditional Chinese training for total and LDL cholesterol, aerobic training for HDL cholesterol and diastolic blood pressure, and combined training for systolic blood pressure and fasting glucose.
- Journal
- Archives of gerontology and geriatrics (Q1)
- Published
- 15 September 2026
- Study design
- Systematic review / meta-analysis of RCTs
- Evidence level
- Level 1, High (CEBM 1a)
- Authors
- Chunxue Shao, Renyu Yang, Qi Yu, Ziheng Wang, Cuijin Bai, Meiqi Wei
- PMID
- 42822168
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.archger.2026.106384
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Family Practice (top studies of the week, 4 October 2026): Exercise modalities for cardiometabolic health in older adults
- Picked for Radiology, Radiation Oncology, Nuclear Medicine, Medical Physics and Imaging (top studies of the week, 4 October 2026): High-quality evidence in a top journal
Abstract
PURPOSE: To use a network meta-analysis to compare the effects of different exercise modalities on cardiometabolic risk factors in older adults. METHODS: Eight electronic databases were searched from inception to November 30, 2025, for randomized controlled trials involving participants aged ≥ 60 years. Interventions were classified as aerobic training (AT), resistance training (RT), combined training (CT), high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and traditional Chinese training (TCT), an umbrella category encompassing Tai Chi and Health Qigong forms such as Baduanjin, Wuqinxi, and Yijinjing. Outcomes included lipid profiles, blood pressure, glycemic control, body mass index (BMI), and heart rate. RESULTS: Fifty-seven trials involving 3655 participants were included. Traditional Chinese training ranked highest for total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein; aerobic training ranked highest for high-density lipoprotein and diastolic blood pressure; combined training ranked highest for systolic blood pressure and fasting blood glucose; resistance training ranked highest for triglycerides and body mass index; and high-intensity interval training ranked highest for glycated hemoglobin. Rankings were interpreted together with effect estimates and Confidence in Network Meta-Analysis (CINeMA) ratings because a high surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) value alone does not establish superiority. CONCLUSION: The findings indicated modality-specific patterns across cardiometabolic outcomes. Exercise selection may be tailored to the intended clinical outcome, although sparse comparisons and low or very low confidence ratings for several outcomes warrant cautious interpretation.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.