The effect of resistance training interventions on weight status in youth: a meta-analysis

Effects of plyometric training on health-related physical fitness in untrained participants: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Plyometric training (PT) is an effective training method for improving physical fitness among trained individuals; however, its impact on health-related physical fitness in untrained participants remains ambiguous. Therefore, this meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of PT on health-related physical fitness among untrained participants. Six electronic databases (PubMed, CINAHL Plus, MEDLINE Complete, Web of Science Core Collection, SCOPUS, and SPORTDiscus) were systematically searched until March 2024. We included controlled trials that examined the effects of PT on health-related physical fitness indices in untrained participants. Twenty-one studies were eligible, including a total of 1263 participants. Our analyses revealed small to moderate effects of PT on body mass index, muscular strength, cardiorespiratory fitness, and flexibility (ES = 0.27-0.61; all p > 0.05). However, no significant effects were detected for body fat percentage and lean mass (ES = 0.21-0.41; all p > 0.05). In conclusion, the findings suggest that PT may be potentially effective in improving health-related physical fitness indices (i.e., body mass index, muscular strength, cardiorespiratory fitness, and flexibility) in untrained participants. However, the results should be interpreted cautiously due to data limitations in some fitness variables.

24-h Movement Guidelines and Overweight and Obesity Indicators in Toddlers, Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Engaging in physical activity increases energy expenditure, reducing total body fat. Time spent in sedentary behaviours is associated with overweight and obesity, and adequate sleep duration is associated with improved body composition. This systematic review aimed to analyse the relationship between compliance with the 24-h movement guidelines and obesity indicators in toddlers, children and adolescents.

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted. PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus were searched from inception to December 2021. Cross-sectional and prospective studies that analysed the relationship between 24-h movement guidelines and overweight and obesity written in English, French, Portuguese or Spanish were included. PROSPERO registration number is CRD42022298316.

RESULTS

The associations between meeting the 24-h movement guidelines and standardised body mass index were null in the two studies for toddlers. Seven studies analysed the relationship between compliance with the 24-h movement guidelines and overweight and obesity among preschool children. Of these seven studies, six found no association between compliance with 24-h movement guidelines and body composition. Among children and adolescents, 15 articles were analysed. Of these 15 studies, in seven, it was found that children and adolescents who meet the 24-h movement guidelines were more likely to have lower risks of overweight and obesity. The meta-analysis yielded a pooled OR = 0.80 (95% CI = 0.68 to 0.95, p = 0.012, I² = 70.5%) in favour of compliant participants. Regarding participants' age groups, compliance with 24-h movement guidelines seems to exert greater benefits on overweight and obesity indicators among children-adolescents (OR = 0.62, p = 0.008) compared to participants at preschool (OR = 1.00, p = 0.931) and toddlers (OR = 0.91, p = 0.853).

CONCLUSION

Most included studies have not observed a significant relationship between compliance with the 24-h movement guidelines and overweight and obesity in toddlers, children and adolescents.

Efficacy of school-based interventions for improving muscular fitness outcomes in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis

The World Health Organization recommends that children should engage in an average of 60 min of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) per day and should perform activities that strengthen muscle and bone at least 3 days a week. Public health professionals as well as pediatric researchers have identified schools as a strategic place to promote muscular strength development. Thus, the aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the efficacy of school-based exercise interventions for improving muscular fitness (MF) in children. Searches were conducted in three databases. Eligible criteria were randomized and non-randomized controlled trials evaluating the effects of school-based exercise interventions on MF (i.e. muscular strength, muscular power, and local muscular endurance) in children under 13 years of age. Risk of bias by the National Institutes of Health tool was appraised, and pooled effect sizes (Hedges'g) were calculated using random-effects inverse-variance analyses. Seventeen studies enrolling 1653 children (28% girls were analyzed). Exercise interventions, mostly combined interventions targeting selected domains of MF, were associated with significant moderate increases in local muscular endurance (g = 0.65 95% CI, 0.13 to 1.17, p = 0.020; I²= 85.0%) and muscular strength and muscular power (g = 0.33 95% CI, 0.16 to 0.51, p = 0.001; I²= 59.3%), with higher effects using interventions with ≥3 sessions per week. Our findings indicate that school-based exercise that includes strength building exercises may improve MF in children and, consequently, prepare modern day youth for the demands of exercise and sport activities. HighlightsSchool-based muscle and bone strengthening exercises performed at least 3 days per week may serve to support the development of muscular fitness in girls and boysIntegrative interventions that include a variety of strength and conditioning activities seem to be a promising strategy to promote muscular fitness in school environmentFuture research should standardize assessment methods for use with children in the school context and should include interventions with girlsIt is of interest to a growing number of health care providers, fitness professionals and physical education teachers to encourage participation in well-designed muscle and bone strengthening exercises.

Regulatory Mechanisms of Muscle Mass: The Critical Role of Resistance Training in Children and Adolescent

Muscle mass and strength are subjected to several regulations. We found endocrine signals such as growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor 1, testosterone, thyroid hormones, and glucocorticoids among them. Neural inputs also influence muscle development, modulating mass and strength. Among the external stimuli that modulate these muscular features is physical training such as resistance and endurance training. Specifically, resistance training can mediate an increase in muscle mass by hypertrophy in adults, but the effects in children and adolescents are full of myths for most of the population. However, the evidence shows that the impact of resistance training on children and adolescents is clear and provides a wide range of benefits. However, qualified professionals must be available since exercise prescription and subsequent supervision must follow this population's abilities, needs, and interests.

Intensity matters: impact of physical activity energy expenditure at moderate and vigorous intensity on total and abdominal obesity in children

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Physical activity (PA) guidelines advocate that children should accumulate at least 60 min of moderate-to-vigorous PA daily. Still, it is not clear how body fat may differ if the same dose of PA is accumulated at different intensities. We aimed to determine the independent associations of energy expenditure (EE) at moderate (MPA) and vigorous (VPA) PA intensity on total and abdominal fat in children and if these associations were moderated by cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF).

SUBJECTS/METHODS

A total of 326 children (girls = 171, boys = 151) aged 10-12 years had PA assessed with accelerometers. Total fat mass index (FMI) and abdominal FMI were assessed with DXA. CRF was assessed by a cycle ergometer test. Linear regression models were used to model the outcomes with the inclusion of an interaction term to test for moderation effects.

RESULTS

An inverse association was found between VPA EE and FMI (β = -0.013, p < 0.001) and abdominal FMI (β = -0.0014, p < 0.001) independent of MPA EE. In contrast, MPA EE was not related to adiposity independent of VPA EE (p > 0.05). The relationships between the PA intensities and FMI and abdominal FMI were moderated by CRF. MPA EE was positively associated with adiposity in children with high levels of CRF, whereas VPA EE remained inversely associated with adiposity regardless of CRF level, although the strength of the association was lower in those with higher CRF levels.

CONCLUSION

PA programs should provide opportunities for children to perform VPA in order to achieve healthier body fat profiles and avoid excess adiposity.

School-Based Comprehensive Strength Training Interventions to Improve Muscular Fitness and Perceived Physical Competence in Chinese Male Adolescents

Purpose. This research was to see how effective and feasible school-based comprehensive strength training programs are in improving muscular fitness and perceived physical competence in Chinese male adolescents. Methods. A total of 123 participants ( $13.46\pm 0.60$ years) were randomized to comprehensive strength training intervention group (CST) ( $n=62$ ) and the control group (CON) ( $n=61$ ). The training sessions were performed three times a week for ten weeks in CST. Muscular fitness (i.e., muscular strength, power, and muscular endurance) and perceived physical competence were assessed at initial testing and final testing. Results.The subjects in the CST significantly improved their mean performance in standing long jump ( $p<0.05$ ), vertical jump ( $p<0.05$ ), 1 min push-ups ( $p<0.05$ ), 1 min sit-ups ( $p<0.05$ ), handgrip strength ( $p<0.05$ ), and perceived physical competence ( $p<0.05$ ) after the intervention. Moreover, the CST were greater in standing long jump ( $p<0.05$ ), vertical jump ( $p<0.05$ ), 1 min sit-ups ( $p<0.05$ ), handgrip strength ( $p<0.05$ ), and perceived physical competence ( $p<0.05$ ) compared to the CON, but no in 1 min push-ups ( $p>0.05$ ). Conclusions. The comprehensive strength training interventions designed in this study can significantly increase male adolescents’ muscular fitness, especially in the lower extremity muscle power and abdominal core endurance, and can enhance their perceived physical competence.

Effects of aerobic exercise combined with resistance training on health-related physical fitness in adolescents: A randomized controlled trial

Background

/Objective: This study aimed to compare the effects of two combined training methods on health-related physical fitness components in adolescents.

Methods

Seventy-six adolescents (16.1 ± 1.1 years, n = 44 female) were randomized into groups of moderate-intensity continuous training combined with resistance training (MICT + RT), high-intensity interval training combined with resistance training (HIIT + RT), or Control. The training sessions were performed twice weekly for 12 weeks. The health-related physical fitness components evaluated were: body composition, muscular and cardiorespiratory fitness.

Results

The intervention groups had a significant reduction in body fat percentage and improvement in abdominal repetitions and VO_2peak after 12 weeks of combined exercise program (p < 0.001). Intervention effects were found to significantly reduce body fat percentage for the MICT + RT and HIIT + RT groups compared to the control group (mean difference: −3.8; 95% CI: −6.2; −1 0.3; mean difference: −4.7; 95%CI: −7.1; −2.3, respectively). For muscle fitness, significant effects of the intervention were found in increasing the number of abdominal repetitions favoring the MICT + RT group compared to the control group (mean difference: 9.5; 95% CI: 4.4; 14.7) and HIIT + RT compared to the control group (mean difference: 14.1; 95% CI 9; 19.3). For cardiorespiratory fitness, significant effects of the intervention on improving VO_2peak were found in the experimental groups (MICT + RT vs Control group: mean difference: 4.4; 95% CI: 2.2; 6.6; and HIIT + RT vs. Control group: mean difference: 5.5, 95% CI: 3.3; 7.7).

Conclusion

The results suggest that 12 weeks of training using MCIT + RT or HIIT + RT showed a similar effect for health-related physical fitness components in adolescents.

Longitudinal trends and predictors of muscle-strengthening activity guideline adherence among Canadian youths

OBJECTIVES

Muscle-strengthening activity (MSE e.g. push-ups, sit-ups, use of weight machines) is linked to multiple health benefits for youth, and is part of the global physical activity guidelines for children and adolescents (5-17 years). However, MSE is rarely assessed in youth health surveillance. This study describes the longitudinal trends and predictors of MSE among a cohort of Canadian youths.

DESIGN

Longitudinal.

METHODS

Data were drawn from a cohort of 3366 youths who participated in three waves of COMPASS, a longitudinal study of secondary school students across Canada [Wave 1 (T1) 2015/16, Wave 2 (T2) 2016/17, Wave 3 (T3) 2018/19]. The prevalence of the sample meeting the MSE guideline (≥3 days/week) was calculated for each wave. A multivariable logistic regression assessed the odds of meeting the MSE guideline for each wave (T1 and T2 and T3) across sociodemographic/lifestyle characteristics (e.g. sex, race, regionally, Body Mass Index, and aerobic physical activity).

RESULTS

For the total sample, MSE guideline adherence significantly declined across each study wave (T1 = 57.0%; T2 = 52.0%; T3 = 48.5%; p < 0.001 for linear trend). Population sub-groups less likely to meet the guideline at each wave included females, youth who were underweight or obese, those reporting insufficient aerobic physical activity, those from large urban settings, and youth who identify as Asian.

CONCLUSIONS

Among a large sample of Canadian youths, approximately half met the MSE guideline, with this prevalence declining over time. Large-scale MSE interventions are needed to address the low and decreasing adherence to this key modifiable health-related behavior among Canadian youths.

Weight Pulling: A Novel Mouse Model of Human Progressive Resistance Exercise

This study describes a mouse model of progressive resistance exercise that utilizes a full-body/multi-joint exercise (weight pulling) along with a training protocol that mimics a traditional human paradigm (three training sessions per week, ~8–12 repetitions per set, 2 min of rest between sets, approximately two maximal-intensity sets per session, last set taken to failure, and a progressive increase in loading that is based on the individual’s performance). We demonstrate that weight pulling can induce an increase in the mass of numerous muscles throughout the body. The relative increase in muscle mass is similar to what has been observed in human studies, and is associated with the same type of long-term adaptations that occur in humans (e.g., fiber hypertrophy, myonuclear accretion, and, in some instances, a fast-to-slow transition in Type II fiber composition). Moreover, we demonstrate that weight pulling can induce the same type of acute responses that are thought to drive these long-term adaptations (e.g., the activation of signaling through mTORC1 and the induction of protein synthesis at 1 h post-exercise). Collectively, the results of this study indicate that weight pulling can serve as a highly translatable mouse model of progressive resistance exercise.

The impact of resistance training on strength and correlates of physical activity in youth

Resistance training (RT) may have a positive impact on specific correlates of physical activity (PA) in inactive and/or obese youth, with strength as a possible underlying mechanism. The aim of this study was to investigate this. Twelve participants (aged 8.9 ± 1.0 years) were assigned to an experimental group (EG) or control group (CG). Pre and post intervention assessments for strength, physical self-perceptions (PSPs), weight status, fundamental movement skills (FMS), and PA levels were completed. The EG participated in a twice-weekly 10-week RT programme. There were significant group x time interactions for FMS (CAMSA total P = 0.016, CAMSA skill score P = 0.036) and stretch stature (P = 0.002) (EG larges changes than the CG). Large effect sizes for the differences in change scores between the EG and CG were evident for CAMSA total score (Hedges' g = 0.830, P = 0.138), CAMSA skill score (Hedges' g = 0.895, P = 0.112) and relative strength (Hedges' g = 0.825, P = 0.140). This study demonstrated that a 10-week RT intervention has a positive effect on strength and FMS, and may also benefit weight status and PSPs. This study supports the development of RT interventions to develop these correlates, and increase PA levels.

The epidemiology of muscle-strengthening activity among adolescents from 28 European countries

AIMS

This study aimed to describe the prevalence and socio-demographic and lifestyle-related correlates of muscle-strengthening activity (MSA; strength/resistance training, sit-ups/push-ups, etc.) among a large sample of European adolescents.

METHODS

Data were drawn from the European Health Interview Survey Wave 2 (2013-2014), including 8818 adolescents (15-17 years) from 28 European countries. Self-reported MSA was assessed using a previously validated survey item. Population-weighted prevalence ratios were calculated for (a) 'none' (0 days/week), (b) 'insufficient MSA' (1-2 days/week) or (c) 'sufficient MSA' (⩾3 days/week). Generalised linear models using Poisson regression with robust error variance were used to calculate the prevalence ratios for adolescents reporting sufficient MSA by socio-demographic/lifestyle characteristics and by European region.

RESULTS

Overall, 19.4% (95% confidence interval (CI) 18.3-20.7) reported sufficient (⩾3 days/week) MSA and 57.9% (95% CI 56.4-59.6) reported none. Females, adolescents from Southern and Eastern European regions, those not meeting the aerobic guideline and adolescents classified as overweight were significantly associated with a lower likelihood of reporting sufficient MSA, independent of other characteristics.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of European adolescents do not meet the MSA guidelines. Future large-scale MSA public-health interventions should target female and currently inactive adolescents, as well as those from Southern and Eastern European regions.

The SIMAC study: A randomized controlled trial to compare the effects of resistance training and aerobic training on the fitness and body composition of Colombian adolescents

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact on muscle strength, aerobic fitness and body composition, of replacing the physical education (PE) class of Colombian adolescents with resistance or aerobic training. 120 tanner stage 3 adolescents attending a state school were randomized to resistance training, aerobic training, or a control group who continued to attend a weekly 2- hour PE class for 16 weeks. The resistance training and aerobic training groups participated in twice weekly supervised after-school exercise sessions of < 1 hour instead of their PE class. Sum of skinfolds, lean body mass (bioelectrical impedance analysis), muscular strength (6 repetition maximum (RM)) bench press, lateral pulldown and leg press) and estimated cardiorespiratory fitness (multistage 20 meter shuttle run) were assessed at pre and post intervention. Complete data were available for n = 40 of the resistance training group, n = 40 of the aerobic training group and n = 30 PE (controls). Resistance training attenuated increases in sum of skinfolds compared with controls (d = 0.27, [0.09-0.36]). We found no significant effect on lean body mass. Resistance training produced a positive effect on muscle strength compared with both controls (d = 0.66 [.49-.86]) and aerobic training (d = 0.55[0.28-0.67]). There was a positive effect of resistance training on cardiorespiratory fitness compared with controls (d = 0.04 [-0.10-0.12]) but not compared with aerobic training (d = 0.24 [0.10-0.36]). Replacing a 2-hour PE class with two 1 hour resistance training sessions attenuated gains in subcutaneous adiposity, and enhanced muscle strength and aerobic fitness development in Colombian youth, based on a median attendance of approximately 1 session a week. Further research to assess whether adequate stimuli for the development of muscular fitness exists within current physical education provision is warranted.

Technology-based methods for the assessment of fine and gross motor skill in children: A systematic overview of available solutions and future steps for effective in-field use

The present review aims at providing researchers and practitioners with a holistic overview of technology-based methods for the assessment of fine and gross motor skill in children. We conducted a search of electronic databases using Web of Science, PubMed and Google Scholar, including studies published up to March 2020, that assessed fine and/or gross motor skills, and utilized technological assessment of varying study design. A total of 739 papers were initially retrieved, and after title/abstract screening, removal of duplicates, and full-text screening, 47 were included. Results suggest that motor skills can be quantitatively estimated using objective methods based on a wearable- and/or laboratory-based technology, for typically developing (TD) and non-TD children. Fine motor skill assessment solutions were; force transducers, instrumented tablets and pens, surface electromyography, and optoelectronic systems. Gross motor skill assessment solutions were; inertial measurements units, optoelectronic systems, baropodometric mats, and force platforms. This review provides a guide in identifying and evaluating the plethora of available technological solutions to motor skill assessment. Although promising, there is still a need for large-scale studies to validate these approaches in terms of accuracy, repeatability, and usability, where interdisciplinary collaborations between researchers and practitioners and transparent reporting practices should be advocated.

2020 WHO guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour for children and adolescents aged 5-17 years: summary of the evidence

BACKGROUND

The World Health Organization (WHO) released in 2020 updated global guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour for children, adolescents, adults, older adults and sub-populations such as pregnant and postpartum women and those living with chronic conditions or disabilities.

OBJECTIVE

To summarize the evidence on the associations between physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and health-related outcomes used to inform the 2020 WHO guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour for children and adolescents aged 5-17 years.

METHODS

The update of the WHO guideline recommendations for children and adolescents utilized and systematically updated the evidence syntheses on physical activity and sedentary behaviour conducted for the 2016 Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Children and Youth, the 2019 Australian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Children and Young People (5-17 years), and the 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, Second Edition. Systematic reviews published from 2017 up to July 2019 that addressed the key questions were identified, and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) framework was used to rate the certainty of the evidence for the entire body of evidence.

RESULTS

The updated literature search yielded 21 relevant systematic reviews. The evidence base reviewed (i.e., existing and new systematic reviews) provided evidence that greater amounts and higher intensities of physical activity as well as different types of physical activity (i.e., aerobic and muscle and bone strengthening activities) are associated with improved health outcomes (primarily intermediate outcomes). There was sufficient evidence to support recommendations on limiting sedentary behaviours, which was not addressed in the 2010 WHO guidelines. However, there is still insufficient evidence available to fully describe the dose-response relationships between physical activity or sedentary behaviour and health outcomes, and whether the associations vary by type or domain of physical activity or sedentary behaviour.

CONCLUSIONS

Addressing the identified research gaps will better inform guideline recommendations in children and adolescents, and future work should aim to prioritize these areas of research. In the meantime, investment and leadership is needed to scale up known effective policies and programs aimed at increasing activity in children and adolescents.

Comparison of the effect of resistance training on the body compositions of different women groups: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

INTRODUCTION

This study attempts to investigate whether simple resistance training (RT) exerts different effects on the body composition of different women groups.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

Relevant articles from PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched and simultaneously screened by two authors. Twenty-three randomized controlled trials are included. The qualities were evaluated by the Cochrane bias risk evaluation tool. Data about sample size, Means and SD of FM, BF %, FFM and MM from original articles were extracted and processed by Reviewer Manager 5.3 software.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

For women with postmenopausal, RT can significantly reduce their BF% and FM, and increase their FFM; while for women with premenopausal, it can only obviously reduce their BF%. RT can significantly reduce the FM and BF% of women with overweight/obese and increase their FFM, however, it has no significant effect on women with non-overweight/obese. RT can substantially and positively affect the FM, BF% and FFM of women with sedentary, and can significantly increase the FFM of women with non-sedentary.

CONCLUSIONS

The effect of RT on women's body composition varies across different subgroups with different physiological characteristics. As a consequence, it is more recommended to use RT as a training method for women with postmenopausal, overweight/obese or sedentary, which can achieve a better effect of improving body composition.

Efficacy of School-Based Interventions for Improving Muscular Fitness Outcomes in Adolescent Boys: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

It has been reported that boys' and girls' physical activity (PA) levels decline throughout adolescence. Boys are at risk of physical inactivity during adolescence; however, in intervention research, they are an under-represented group relative to girls. It is suggested that the school environment may be central to developing interventions that support adolescents in meeting the current PA guidelines. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the efficacy of school-based physical activity interventions for improving muscular fitness (MF) in adolescent males.

METHODS

This systematic review and meta-analysis followed the preferred reporting systems for meta-analyses guidelines and was registered on PROSPERO (Registration number: CRD42018091023). Eligible studies were published in English within peer-reviewed articles. Searches were conducted in three databases, with an additional grey literature search in Google Scholar. Studies investigating MF outcomes were included.

RESULTS

There were 43 data sets identified across 11 studies, from seven countries. Overall methodological quality of the studies was moderate-to-strong. Interventions targeting MF evidenced a small-to-medium effect (g = 0.32, CI 0.17, 0.48, p < 0.00). Subgroup analyses of MF delivery method resulted in small-to-medium effects: upper limb MF measures (g = 0.28, 95% CI - 0.02, 0.58, p = 0.07), lower limb MF measures (g = 0.28, 95% CI 0.09, 0.68, p = 0.03), combined MF activities (g = 0.24, 95% CI - 0.04 to 0.49, p = 0.05), plyometric activities (g = 0.39, 95% CI 0.09, 0.68, p = 0.01), body weight (g = 0.27, 95% CI - 0.10, 0.65, p = 0.15), and traditional MF methods (g = 0.43, 95% CI 0.09, 0.78, p = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

School-based interventions which aimed to increase MF outcomes in adolescent boys demonstrated small-to-moderate effects. Traditional and plyometric methods of resistance training appear to be the most effective form of PA delivery in adolescent males. More quality research is required to assess the impact of MF delivered in the school environment to inform future intervention design.

Effects of exercise programs on kyphosis and lordosis angle: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Many authors are interested in the effects that a specific exercise program could have on sagittal spinal curvatures. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of different exercise programs on thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordotic angle. This meta-analysis adhered to the PRISMA guideline and it was registered at PROSPERO. Five electronic databases (Pub Med, Cochrane, WOS, PEDro and EBSCO) were searched up to 31 July 2018. Eligible studies were randomized controlled trials that applied an exercise intervention and measured a kyphosis and/or lordotic angle. Study quality was performance by PEDro score. Risk of bias was assessed using the SIGN 50 checklist for randomized controlled trials. External validity was assessed using the EVAT. Ten randomized controlled trials were included for systematic review and meta-analysis. Meta-analysis with a random effect model was performed to infer the pooled estimated standardized mean difference. All studies were RCTs and they involved a total of 284 cases and 255 controls. Seven studies measured kyphosis angle. A large significant effect of the exercise on kyphosis was identified (SMD = -1.400 (95% CI-2.150 a -0.660), p = 0.000). Four studies assessed lordotic angle and moderate but not significant improvement was shown (SMD = -0.530 (95% CI-1.760 a -0.700), p = 0.401). The results suggest that exercise programs may have a positive effect on thoracic kyphosis angle, but no clear effect on lordotic angle. This systematic review suggests that strengthening rather than stretching could be more relevant for kyphosis and both qualities are important for lordosis. It is necessary to conduct more randomized controlled trials to assess the effects of strengthening and/or stretching program on kyphosis and lordotic angle and to establish the type of the exercise that is better for maintaining the sagittal disposition within normal ranges.