Comparative Effects and Dose–Response Relationships of Exercise Modalities on Resting Circulating Interleukin-6 in People with Overweight or Obesity: A Systematic Review and Dose–Response Network Meta-Analysis
- 1School of Wushu, Wuhan Sports University, Wuhan 430079, China
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Exercise may alter resting circulating interleukin-6 (IL-6) in people with overweight or obesity, but comparative effects and dose relationships remain uncertain. Methods: Five databases were searched from inception to 1 March 2026. A frequentist multivariate random-effects network model estimated Hedges g for between-arm differences in IL-6 change using a common within-study pooled change-score SD. Shared-arm sampling covariance and correlated random effects were modeled explicitly. Positive values indicated greater IL-6 reduction. Adult-only exploratory dose models used assigned MET-min/week. Results: The final network comprised 38 randomized reports, 91 arms, with retained arm sample sizes summing to 1518. AE versus control was 0.70 (0.32 to 1.07); CE was 0.36 (−0.11 to 0.82); HIIT was 0.42 (−0.20 to 1.03); and RT was −0.19 (−0.76 to 0.37) (95% confidence intervals). AE versus CE was 0.34 (95% CI −0.19 to 0.87). Heterogeneity was substantial (τ = 0.826; τ2 = 0.683), and all prediction intervals included no effect. Adult dose models favored linear functions; no stable interior optimum or effective-dose threshold was supported. Conclusions: AE had the clearest average estimate versus control, while CE, HIIT, and RT remained uncertain. The evidence was of low or very low certainty. Across-trial dose associations do not establish a causal exercise prescription. Inconsistent reporting of sampling conditions and adherence further limits interpretation.
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BibTeX
@article{shi2026comparative,
title = {{Comparative Effects and Dose–Response Relationships of Exercise Modalities on Resting Circulating Interleukin-6 in People with Overweight or Obesity: A Systematic Review and Dose–Response Network Meta-Analysis}},
author = {Fengrui Shi and Hong Wang and Junru Zeng},
journal = {Metabolites},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.3390/metabo16110843},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/16/11/843},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Comparative Effects and Dose–Response Relationships of Exercise Modalities on Resting Circulating Interleukin-6 in People with Overweight or Obesity: A Systematic Review and Dose–Response Network Meta-Analysis
AU - Fengrui Shi
AU - Hong Wang
AU - Junru Zeng
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/01
JO - Metabolites
DO - 10.3390/metabo16110843
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/16/11/843
AB - Background/Objectives: Exercise may alter resting circulating interleukin-6 (IL-6) in people with overweight or obesity, but comparative effects and dose relationships remain uncertain. Methods: Five databases were searched from inception to 1 March 2026. A frequentist multivariate random-effects network model estimated Hedges g for between-arm differences in IL-6 change using a common within-study pooled change-score SD. Shared-arm sampling covariance and correlated random effects were modeled explicitly. Positive values indicated greater IL-6 reduction. Adult-only exploratory dose models used assigned MET-min/week. Results: The final network comprised 38 randomized reports, 91 arms, with retained arm sample sizes summing to 1518. AE versus control was 0.70 (0.32 to 1.07); CE was 0.36 (−0.11 to 0.82); HIIT was 0.42 (−0.20 to 1.03); and RT was −0.19 (−0.76 to 0.37) (95% confidence intervals). AE versus CE was 0.34 (95% CI −0.19 to 0.87). Heterogeneity was substantial (τ = 0.826; τ2 = 0.683), and all prediction intervals included no effect. Adult dose models favored linear functions; no stable interior optimum or effective-dose threshold was supported. Conclusions: AE had the clearest average estimate versus control, while CE, HIIT, and RT remained uncertain. The evidence was of low or very low certainty. Across-trial dose associations do not establish a causal exercise prescription. Inconsistent reporting of sampling conditions and adherence further limits interpretation.
SN - 2218-1989
ER -