{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,15]],"date-time":"2026-07-15T05:07:43Z","timestamp":1784092063061,"version":"3.55.0"},"reference-count":31,"publisher":"Frontiers Media SA","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,15]],"date-time":"2026-07-15T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1784073600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["frontiersin.org"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Front. Physiol."],"abstract":"<jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Objective<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>We examined how the volume of exercise relates to circulating adiponectin and leptin in women with overweight or obesity, asking whether each hormone responds in proportion to the amount of exercise accumulated or instead changes only once a sufficient stimulus has been reached.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>We searched five databases (Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, and Embase) for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) appearing through January 2026 (PROSPERO: CRD420261438448) and pooled standardized mean differences (SMDs) under random-effects models. Weekly exercise volume (minutes per week) was modelled as a continuous moderator in univariate meta-regression, and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) was compared with high-intensity interval training (HIIT).<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Thirty-four RCTs (N\u00a0=\u00a01,987) were analyzed. Exercise raised adiponectin (SMD\u00a0=\u00a00.60; P &amp;lt; 0.05) and lowered leptin (SMD = -0.70; P &amp;lt; 0.01), but neither response scaled with the weekly volume of exercise. In univariate meta-regression the slope for weekly volume was non-significant for both adiponectin (slope = -0.0039, P\u00a0=\u00a00.331) and leptin (slope = 0.0031, P\u00a0=\u00a00.394), consistent with a threshold effect rather than a gradual, volume-dependent change. Where the hormones diverged was in intensity rather than volume: the pooled adiponectin effect was numerically larger for MICT than for HIIT, although the subgroup difference was not statistically significant, whereas the leptin reduction was similar across intensities. Because energy intake and expenditure were not reported consistently, the contribution of energy balance to the leptin response could not be tested directly.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Conclusion<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Adiponectin and leptin both improve with exercise, but neither response scales with the weekly volume of training. Adiponectin rose more with moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) than with HIIT, whereas the leptin reduction was similar across intensities; in both cases the change appeared once an adequate stimulus was delivered rather than accumulating with extra weekly minutes, with energy balance a likely but untested contributor to the leptin response. Prescription can therefore be tailored to the target: moderate-intensity continuous aerobic training when the aim is to raise adiponectin, and either MICT or shorter HIIT when the aim is to lower leptin, provided that energy balance is also managed.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Systematic review registration<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>\n                      <jats:ext-link>https:\/\/www.crd.york.ac.uk\/PROSPERO\/view\/<\/jats:ext-link>\n                      , identifier CRD420261438448.\n                    <\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.3389\/fphys.2026.1810408","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,15]],"date-time":"2026-07-15T04:40:30Z","timestamp":1784090430000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Divergent responses of adiponectin and leptin to exercise in women with overweight or obesity: a systematic review and meta-regression"],"prefix":"10.3389","volume":"17","author":[{"given":"Xiufeng","family":"Yuan","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Tianjin University of Sport","place":["Tianjin, China"]},{"name":"Tianjin Sports Injury and Rehabilitation Virtual Simulation Teaching Center","place":["Tianjin, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Chunyu","family":"Bao","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Tianjin University of Sport","place":["Tianjin, China"]},{"name":"Tianjin Sports Injury and Rehabilitation Virtual Simulation Teaching Center","place":["Tianjin, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Xuequan","family":"Feng","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"The Neurosurgical Department, Tianjin first Central Hospital","place":["Tianjin, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1965","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,15]]},"reference":[{"key":"B1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"153","DOI":"10.1136\/ebmental-2019-300117","article-title":"How to perform a meta-analysis with R: a practical tutorial","volume":"22","author":"Balduzzi","year":"2019","journal-title":"Evid Based Ment. Health"},{"key":"B2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"494","DOI":"10.1136\/bjsports-2015-095841","article-title":"Effects of high-intensity interval training on cardiometabolic health: a systematic review and meta-analysis of intervention studies","volume":"51","author":"Batacan","year":"2017","journal-title":"Br. J. Sports Med."},{"key":"B3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"012170","DOI":"10.1088\/1757-899X\/180\/1\/012170","article-title":"Beneficial health effect of aquarobics (role of adiponectin on women with obesity)","volume":"180","author":"Baitul","year":"2017","journal-title":"IOP Conf. Ser. Mater. Sci. Eng."},{"key":"B4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"288","DOI":"10.1038\/s41574-019-0176-8","article-title":"Obesity: global epidemiology and pathogenesis","volume":"15","author":"Bl\u00fcher","year":"2019","journal-title":"Nat. Rev. Endocrinol."},{"key":"B5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"191","DOI":"10.5114\/aoms.2013.33181","article-title":"Biochemistry of adipose tissue: an endocrine organ","volume":"9","author":"Coelho","year":"2013","journal-title":"Arch. Med. Sci."},{"key":"B6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e588","DOI":"10.1093\/pubmed\/fdac036","article-title":"Strengthening systematic reviews in public health: guidance in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions, 2nd edition","volume":"44","author":"Cumpston","year":"2022","journal-title":"J. Public Health (Oxf)"},{"key":"B7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"147","DOI":"10.1007\/s10549-017-4576-y","article-title":"Adipose tissue inflammation in breast cancer survivors: effects of a 16-week combined aerobic and resistance exercise training intervention","volume":"168","author":"Dieli-Conwright","year":"2018","journal-title":"Breast Cancer Res. Treat."},{"key":"B8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"875","DOI":"10.1200\/JCO.2017.75.7526","article-title":"Effects of aerobic and resistance exercise on metabolic syndrome, sarcopenic obesity, and circulating biomarkers in overweight or obese survivors of breast cancer: a randomized controlled trial","volume":"36","author":"Dieli-Conwright","year":"2018","journal-title":"J. Clin. Oncol."},{"key":"B9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"629","DOI":"10.1136\/bmj.315.7109.629","article-title":"Bias in meta-analysis detected by a simple, graphical test","volume":"315","author":"Egger","year":"1997","journal-title":"Bmj"},{"key":"B10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1437","DOI":"10.1007\/s40279-018-0897-1","article-title":"The effect of chronic exercise training on leptin: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials","volume":"48","author":"Fedewa","year":"2018","journal-title":"Sports Med."},{"key":"B11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"794","DOI":"10.3945\/ajcn.2009.28255","article-title":"Gene-nutrient interactions in the metabolic syndrome: single nucleotide polymorphisms in ADIPOQ and ADIPOR1 interact with plasma saturated fatty acids to modulate insulin resistance","volume":"91","author":"Ferguson","year":"2010","journal-title":"Am. J. Clin. Nutr."},{"key":"B12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"754","DOI":"10.1038\/s42255-019-0095-y","article-title":"Leptin and the endocrine control of energy balance","volume":"1","author":"Friedman","year":"2019","journal-title":"Nat. Metab."},{"key":"B13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1077","DOI":"10.1097\/01.csmr.0000306472.95337.e9","article-title":"Physiological adaptations to low-volume, high-intensity interval training in health and disease","volume":"590","author":"Gibala","year":"2012","journal-title":"J. Physiol."},{"key":"B14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"607","DOI":"10.1038\/nri3041","article-title":"The anti-inflammatory effects of exercise: mechanisms and implications for the prevention and treatment of disease","volume":"11","author":"Gleeson","year":"2011","journal-title":"Nat. Rev. Immunol."},{"key":"B15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"4467","DOI":"10.1128\/mcb.00192-09","article-title":"Hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha induces fibrosis and insulin resistance in white adipose tissue","volume":"29","author":"Halberg","year":"2009","journal-title":"Mol. Cell. Biol."},{"key":"B16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1136\/bmj.d5928","article-title":"The Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing risk of bias in randomised trials","volume":"343","author":"Higgins","year":"2011","journal-title":"Bmj"},{"key":"B17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1539","DOI":"10.1191\/026921699666884611","article-title":"Quantifying heterogeneity in a meta-analysis","volume":"21","author":"Higgins","year":"2002","journal-title":"Stat. Med."},{"key":"B18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1784","DOI":"10.1172\/jci29126","article-title":"Adiponectin and adiponectin receptors in insulin resistance, diabetes, and the metabolic syndrome","volume":"116","author":"Kadowaki","year":"2006","journal-title":"J. Clin. Invest."},{"key":"B19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/2042-6410-3-13","article-title":"Sex differences in human adipose tissues - the biology of pear shape","volume":"3","author":"Karastergiou","year":"2012","journal-title":"Biol. Sex Differ."},{"key":"B20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"643","DOI":"10.1016\/j.tem.2010.08.002","article-title":"Obesity and leptin resistance: distinguishing cause from effect","volume":"21","author":"Myers","year":"2010","journal-title":"Trends Endocrinol. Metab."},{"key":"B21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"85","DOI":"10.1038\/nri2921","article-title":"Adipokines in inflammation and metabolic disease","volume":"11","author":"Ouchi","year":"2011","journal-title":"Nat. Rev. Immunol."},{"key":"B22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"n71","DOI":"10.31222\/osf.io\/v7gm2_v1","article-title":"The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews","volume":"372","author":"Page","year":"2021","journal-title":"Bmj"},{"key":"B23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"8","DOI":"10.1007\/s001090100198","article-title":"Regulation of leptin production: sympathetic nervous system interactions","volume":"79","author":"Rayner","year":"2001","journal-title":"J. Mol. Med. (Berl)"},{"key":"B24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"240","DOI":"10.1093\/ajcn\/73.2.240","article-title":"Effect of long-term changes in diet and exercise on plasma leptin concentrations","volume":"73","author":"Reseland","year":"2001","journal-title":"Am. J. Clin. Nutr."},{"key":"B25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"770","DOI":"10.1016\/j.cmet.2016.04.011","article-title":"Adiponectin, leptin, and fatty acids in the maintenance of metabolic homeostasis through adipose tissue crosstalk","volume":"23","author":"Stern","year":"2016","journal-title":"Cell Metab."},{"key":"B26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1136\/bmj.d4002","article-title":"Recommendations for examining and interpreting funnel plot asymmetry in meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials","volume":"343","author":"Sterne","year":"2011","journal-title":"Bmj"},{"key":"B27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"215","DOI":"10.1249\/jsr.0b013e31829a68cf","article-title":"ACSM's new preparticipation health screening recommendations from ACSM's guidelines for exercise testing and prescription, ninth edition","volume":"12","author":"Thompson","year":"2013","journal-title":"Curr. Sports Med. Rep."},{"key":"B28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2319","DOI":"10.1007\/s00125-012-2598-x","article-title":"Adiponectin: mechanistic insights and clinical implications","volume":"55","author":"Turer","year":"2012","journal-title":"Diabetologia"},{"key":"B29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"338","DOI":"10.1016\/j.bbalip.2009.12.006","article-title":"Adipose tissue expandability, lipotoxicity and the Metabolic Syndrome--an allostatic perspective","volume":"1801","author":"Virtue","year":"2010","journal-title":"Biochim. Biophys. Acta"},{"key":"B30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"114459","DOI":"10.2139\/ssrn.4517982","article-title":"Effect of high-intensity interval training and moderate-intensity continuous training on cardiovascular risk factors in adolescents: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials","volume":"275","author":"Wang","year":"2024","journal-title":"Physiol. Behav."},{"key":"B31","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1288","DOI":"10.1038\/nm788","article-title":"Adiponectin stimulates glucose utilization and fatty-acid oxidation by activating AMP-activated protein kinase","volume":"8","author":"Yamauchi","year":"2002","journal-title":"Nat. Med."}],"container-title":["Frontiers in Physiology"],"original-title":[],"link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fphys.2026.1810408\/full","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,15]],"date-time":"2026-07-15T04:40:40Z","timestamp":1784090440000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fphys.2026.1810408\/full"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,15]]},"references-count":31,"alternative-id":["10.3389\/fphys.2026.1810408"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fphys.2026.1810408","relation":{},"ISSN":["1664-042X"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1664-042X","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,15]]},"article-number":"1810408"}}