Review article

METABOLIC SYNDROME AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Janko Hrvoj ; Zavod za bolesti metabolizma, KBC Zagreb
Ana Marija Slišković ; Zavod za bolesti metabolizma, KBC Zagreb
Iveta Šimić ; Zavod za bolesti metabolizma, KBC Zagreb

Abstract

Metabolic syndrome includes metabolic disorders
that often occur together, such as abdominal obesity,
dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia and hypertension. The
incidence of the syndrome is higher among women and in
the older age groups. The main risk factor is obesity. Due
to the increase in the number of obese people is expected
to increase the frequency of the syndrome in the future.
Physical activity is defined as any bodily movement
produced by skeletal muscles that results in energy
expenditure which can be measured in kilocalories.
Physical activity has a positive impact on health and it is
important method in treatment of metabolic syndrome. It
can be divided based on exercise intensity in light,
moderate and vigorous. The basic pathophysiological
mechanisms are insulin resistance and an increased
amount of visceral fat. Metabolic syndrome is a
prothrombotic and a proinflammatory state. Clinical
manifestations are elevated blood pressure, elevated
blood glucose levels, reduced concentrations of HDL and
elevated level of triglycerides in the blood. Patients with
metabolic syndrome have an increased risk of developing
cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus type II. The
treatment begins with lifestyle changes that reduce risk
factors for metabolic syndrome (obesity and reduced
physical activity). If metabolic abnormalities persist after
these changes, treatment is directed at diabetes mellitus
type II and risk factors of cardiovascular disease. Exercise
effectively reduces systolic and diastolic blood pressure,
and is associated with an improvement of lipid profile;
thereby reducing the concentration of apolipoprotein-B
and increasing the level of HDL. Physical activity is
positively correlated with insulin sensitivity, leads to an
increase of GLUT4 transporters, improves endothelial
function and microcirculation. Body weight loss induced
by exercise reduces levels of markers of inflammation
such as TNFá, IL-6 and CRP. Both modalities of exercise,
strength training and aerobic training resulted in reducing
HbA1c levels which is associated with decreasing the risk
of mortality. The reduction of visceral fat, one of the
components of metabolic syndrome, is achieved by
aerobic training, while resistance training does not lead to
a significant reduction. A modest exercise program
decreases visceral fat effectively without changes in
caloric intake.

Keywords

abdominal obesity; dyslipidemia; hyperglycemia; hypertension; exercise; training

Hrčak ID:

143782

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/143782

Publication date:

15.7.2015.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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