Table 1_The effect of exercise snacks on cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition, metabolic health, and muscle strength in sedentary individuals: a systematic review and meta-analysis.docx

The meta-analysis showed that ES significantly improved VO_2max (Hedges’ g = 1.24, 95% CI: 0.53 to 1.95, p < 0.001, I² = 75.0%, τ² = 1.13), VO_2peak (Hedges’ g = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.05 to 1.22, p < 0.05, I² = 55.0%, τ² = 0.19), triglycerides (Hedges’ g = 1.05, 95% CI: 0.05 to 2.06, p < 0.05, I² = 84.0%, τ² = 0.65), and blood glucose (Hedges’ g = −0.83, 95% CI: −1.51 to −0.15, p < 0.05, I² = 78.0%, τ² = 0.69) in sedentary populations.

However, significant publication bias was detected for VO_2max, and the trim-and-fill analysis yielded an adjusted effect estimate that was no longer statistically significant (Hedges’ g = 0.62, 95% CI: −0.59 to 1.83, p = 0.32). No significant differences were observed in body fat, muscle mass, strength, or insulin levels.</p>Conclusion<p>As a short-duration, high-frequency intervention, ES may improve cardiorespiratory fitness and certain metabolic health indicators in sedentary individuals.

However, the finding for VO_2max should be interpreted cautiously because the trim-and-fill adjusted estimate was not statistically significant, suggesting that publication bias may have influenced the observed effect. It provides a potentially sustainable and effective exercise intervention strategy for sedentary individuals.</p>Systematic review registration<p>PROSPERO (CRD420261347411).</p>