Resistance Training and Insulin Sensitivity in Youth: A Meta-analysis

Objectives: Past research has explored pooled effects of aerobic exercise modalities on cardiometabolic health markers in children and adolescents. However, much less is known regarding the pooled effect of resistance training interventions on metabolic health. The purpose of this study was to examine the pooled effect of resistance training interventions on insulin sensitivity in children and adolescents. Methods: We performed a comprehensive Internet search. We extracted studies based on having a measure of insulin sensitivity as an outcome, employing a controlled experimental or quasi-experimental research design, and reporting of the effect estimate's variability. We employed random effects meta-analyses using the Hartung-Knapp-Sidak-Jonkman method. Results: We found no statistically significant pooled effects (Hedges'g = 0.33; 95%CI: -0.34, 1.00, p = .288). There was evidence for publication bias using Egger regression (b₀ = 4.62; 95%CI: 0.12, 9.01, p = .046). Conclusions: The results indicate that resistance-training interventions do not have a statistically significant positive effect on insulin sensitivity in youth. Resistance training is a complement to aerobic exercise, but the current literature suggests that there is little evidence to support that this exercise modality alone can improve insulin sensitivity in youth.