The Effects of Exercise Training on Genes Associated with Cardiovascular Disorders in Obese and Overweight People: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background. Abdominal obesity is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) worldwide. Objectives. The present study aims to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of exercise training on genes associated with cardiovascular disorders in obese and overweight people. Methods. A database search (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar) was conducted to identify controlled clinical trials in English. The search was conducted from March 01, 2024, until April 01, 2024. The relevant search terms were divided into three search levels. On the first search level, “Aerobic Exercise or Aerobic Training or Exercise Training or Resistance Exercise or Resistance Training or Physical Activity, ” on the second step, “AND (COL3A1 or FBN1 or TGFBR1 or TGFBR2 or SMAD3 or ACTA2 or MYH11 or MYBPC3 or MYH7 or TNNT2 or TNNI3 or TPM1 or MYL3 or ACTC1 or PRKAG2 or GLA or MYL2 or LMNA or RYR2 or PKP2 or DSP or DSC2 or TMEM43 or DSG2 or KCNQ1 or KCNH2 or SCN5A or LDLR or APOB or PCSK9)” and on the third step “AND (Obesity or Overweight or Obese)” were used as search terms. The mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and the overall effect size was calculated for all comparisons. The PEDro scale was used to evaluate the quality of articles. Results. Our findings showed a significant effect of exercise training on ApoB (difference in means=0.035, Z=2.607, P=0.009), ApoA1 (difference in means=-0.018, Z=-2.176, P=0.030), and ApoB/ApoA1 ratio (difference in means=0.063, Z=5.026, P=0.000) in obese and overweight people. Conclusion. Exercise training intervention significantly increased ApoA1 and decreased ApoB. Therefore, obese and overweight people can improve the expression of genes related to cardiovascular disorders by participating in exercise programs.