Characteristics of interventions with exercise according to the adherence of adults with obesity: A systematic review

Summary The aim was to summarize the characteristics of exercise interventions based on the adherence of adults with obesity. Studies were identified through a systematic review of the literature conducted in databases in June 2022. The articles selected were from clinical trials involving adults with obesity. The total number of prescribed sessions and the mean or percentage of sessions attended by participants who completed the intervention were identified, along with details of the exercise prescription, including duration, attendance, and intensity control. A total of 21 studies were included in the synthesis. The adherence percentage ranged from 18% to 99% of the prescribed exercise sessions. Interventions that provided only guidance meetings for physical activities without supervising the training—allowing participants to choose the modality and loads—resulted in adherence to less than half of the prescribed sessions. The session duration and weekly attendance varied between 30–60 min and 2–3 times per week across the studies synthesized. These variables did not appear to significantly affect adherence percentages in this population. It was possible to conclude that supervised interventions, with combined training, which include moderate to high‐intensity physical exercises and/or interval training and with some social support, resulted in greater adherence to sessions in adults with obesity.