Exercise training in patients with the metabolic syndrome: effect of different training modalities; phenotypical and genotypical determinants of the training response.

Exercise increases aerobic power and partly reverses the metabolic syndrome (MetS), but controversy reigns as to the level and format of exercise that would yield optimal beneficial effects. Moreover, the response to training is highly variable, which has been attributed to genetic and environmental factors that are poorly understood. A randomized controlled study will be performed to test whether intensity of exercise yields superior effects compared to volume of exercise on exercise tolerance, individual cardiovascular risk factors, and the clustering of these risk factors. As secondary outcomes, other determinants of the training responses will be investigated: 1) muscular function, 2) autonomic nervous function, 3) renin-angiotensin-aldosteron system, 4) endothelial function, 5) pro-and anti inflammatory cytokines and markers, 6) markers of oxidative stress and 7) genetic polymorphisms. 220 individuals with the MetS will be randomized to three supervised training programs: high intensity interval training (HIIT), moderate intensity interval training (MIITi) (isovolumic to HIIT), moderate intensity interval training (MIITv) (volume > MIITi and HIIT), or a control group for 13 weeks. Measurements will be made before and after the intervention, and at one year follow-up. The findings will provide more detailed information concerning the optimal amount and intensity of exercise for achieving cardiovascular health benefits.

Keywords:Endothelium, Oxygen, Autonomic nervous system, Metabolic syndrome, Exercise, Randomized controlled trial, Cardiovascular, Risk factors

Disciplines:Cardiac and vascular medicine, Public health care, Public health sciences, Public health services, Orthopaedics, Human movement and sports sciences, Rehabilitation sciences