TARGETING THE METABOLIC SYNDROME WITH EXERCISE

The metabolic syndrome is a prevalent condition in North America, representing a substantial public health problem. PURPOSE The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of physical activity in treating the metabolic syndrome. METHODS The sample included 621 Black and White participants from the HERITAGE Family Study, selected to be sedentary and apparently healthy (no chronic disease or injury). The metabolic syndrome was defined as having three or more risk factors according to the guidelines of the National Cholesterol Education Program, including elevated waist circumference, blood pressure, triglycerides, blood glucose, and low HDL-cholesterol. The presence of the metabolic syndrome was determined before and after 20 weeks of supervised aerobic exercise training. RESULTS The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was 16.9% in this sample (105/621) of apparently healthy participants. Of the 105 participants with the metabolic syndrome at baseline, 28.6% (30 participants) no longer were classified as having the metabolic syndrome after the exercise training. Among the 30 participants that improved their metabolic profile, 43% decreased triglycerides, 17% improved HDL-cholesterol, 33% decreased blood pressure, 10% improved fasting plasma glucose, and 30% decreased their waist circumference. There were no sex or race differences in the effectiveness of exercise in treating the metabolic syndrome: 31% of male, 26% of female, 27% of Black, and 29% of White participants with the metabolic syndrome were effectively treated with exercise. CONCLUSION Aerobic exercise training in overtly healthy participants with the metabolic syndrome can be useful as a treatment strategy, and provides support for a role for physical activity in the prevention of chronic disease.