Table 2 Descriptive characteristics of included studies

Arad, DiMenna, Thomas, et al. [17]

N = 11 (14)

Age: 30 ± 7y

BMI: 32.5 ± 3.6

BF%: 45.4 ± 3.7

N = 9 (14)

Age: 29 ± 4y

BMI: 32.1 ± 3.2

BF%: 45.4 ± 5.0

• Intervention = 14 weeks

• Frequency = 3 x weekly

• Exercise mode = cycling (HIT)

• Intensity = 4 work intervals (30–60s) at 75–90% HRR. Recovery intervals between work intervals were 180–210 s at 50% HRR. Progressive overload until work rest ratio 60s:180s at intensity of 90% HRR for work intervals

Blue, Smith-Ryan, Trexler and Hirsch [18]

N = 9

Age: 37.0 ± 12.4

BMI: 33.6 ± 7.2

BF %: 33.4 ± 6.4

N = 16

Age: 31.4 ± 12.0y

BMI: 31.8 ± 3.9

BF %: 32.6 ± 6.5

• Intervention = 3 weeks

• Frequency = 3 x weekly

• Exercise mode = cycling

• Intensity = 10 reps of 1 min bouts at 90% peak power output; 1 min rest between work sets

Chiu, Ko, Wu, et al. [19]

N = 12 (14)

Age: 20.8 ± 0.7

BMI: 30.38 ± 0.86

BF %: 33.3 ± 1.1

N = 12 (13)

Age: 21.8 ± 0.7

BMI: 29.43 ± 0.56

BF %: 34.5 ± 1.8

• Intervention = 12 weeks

• Session duration = 60 min

• Frequency = 3 x weekly

• Exercise mode = treadmill (aerobic)

• Intensity = 40–80% HRR for weeks (increased gradually over 12 weeks)

Domene, Moir, Pummell, Knox and Easton [20]

N = 10 (11)

Age: 35 ± 13

BMI: 27.6 ± 2.0

BF %: 31.7 ± 5.8

N = 10 (12)

Age: 33 ± 11

BMI: 26.7 ± 1.7

BF %: 30.9 ± 5.5

• Intervention = 8 Weeks

• Session duration = 1 h

• Frequency = 12 x classes

• Exercise mode = Aerobic

• Intensity = Vigorous

Ross, Dagnone, Jones, et al. [21]

N = 8 (22)

Age: 46.0 ± 10.9

BMI: 30.7 ± 1.6

N = 16 (27)

Age: 45.0 ± 7.5

BMI: 32.3 ± 1.9

• Intervention = 12 weeks

• Session duration = time to expend 700 kcal

• Frequency = daily

• Exercise mode = Treadmill (aerobic)

• Intensity = no greater than 70% peak oxygen uptake

Svensson, Eek, Christiansen and Wisén [14]

N = 22 (31)

Age: 47.4 ± 9.1

BMI: 44.7 ± 7.1

N = 49 (80)

Age: 43.6 ± 8.3

BMI: 41.6 ± 5.2

• Intervention = 16 weeks

• Session duration = 1 h

• Frequency = 3 x weekly

• Exercise mode = cycle, rowing machine, treadmill, cross-trainer (aerobic) + resistance training

• Intensity (aerobic) = 6-min intervals at HR > 90%max. 30s pause between each bout

• Intensity (resistance) = 2-min intervals at > 90% HRmax. 30s pause between each bout

Utter, Nieman, Shannonhouse, Butterworth and Nieman [22]

N = 22

Age: 43.7 ± 2.4

BMI: 32.8 ± 1.0

N = 21

Age: 44.6 ± 2.5

BMI: 32.3 ± 1.1

• Intervention = 12 weeks

• Session duration = 45 min

• Frequency = 5 x weekly

• Exercise mode = walking (aerobic)

• Intensity = 60–80% HRmax