Training & movement
AComparison of concurrent, resistance, or aerobic training on body fat loss: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Lafontant K, Rukstela A, Hanson A, Chan J, Alsayed Y, Ayers-Creech WA, Bale C, Ohigashi Y, Solis J, Shelton G, Alur I, Resler C, Heath A, Ericksen S, Forbes SC, Campbell BI · 2025 · Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition
REZA evidence rating A: High confidence
Methodology
Meta-analysis
Population
36 RCTs (1564 metabolically healthy adults) in the review; 31 in the meta-analysis; RCTs published 1980-2023
Intervention
Concurrent training vs resistance training vs aerobic training; subanalyses by duration, same-day vs different-day sessions, and workload matching
Findings
In trials of ≥10 weeks, aerobic training outperformed resistance training on body mass and fat mass but retained less fat-free mass. Concurrent training reduced more fat mass than resistance training alone. Differences disappeared in trials under 10 weeks or when workloads were matched.
Outcome measures
Fat mass and body fat percentage (primary); body mass and fat-free mass (secondary)
Limitations
Diet not standardised across trials; workload matching only possible in a subset; body composition methods heterogeneous; 'metabolically healthy' populations only.
Original source
DOI: 10.1080/15502783.2025.2507949 · PMID: 40405489
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