Research

Energy balance

Aerobic endurance training favorably affects concomitant cardiovascular risk factors, including reducing body weight, body fat, waist circumference, and insulin resistance, while increasing HDL cholesterol.

Regular aerobic exercise helps you lose a small amount of weight and body fat, reduces belly fat, and improves how your body handles insulin. These changes contribute to better overall heart health, even if the weight loss isn't dramatic.

GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
Body weight decreased by 1.2 kg (P<0.001), waist circumference by 2.8 cm (P<0.001), percent body fat by 1.4% (P<0.001), and the homeostasis model assessment index of insulin resistance by 0.31 U (P<0.01); HDL cholesterol increased by 0.032 mmol/L-1 (P<0.05).
Véronique Cornelissen et al. · Hypertension · 2005

Why this rating

Meta-analysis of multiple trials, though fewer trials reported some specific biomarkers like insulin resistance.

Source

Effects of Endurance Training on Blood Pressure, Blood Pressure–Regulating Mechanisms, and Cardiovascular Risk Factors

Véronique Cornelissen et al. · Hypertension · 2005

DOI 10.1161/01.hyp.0000184225.05629.51

Meta-analysis · 72 studiesCited 989×
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DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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