Comparison of aerobic versus resistance exercise training effects on metabolic syndrome (from the Studies of a Targeted Risk Reduction Intervention Through Defined Exercise - STRRIDE-AT/RT)

Abstract

Aerobic training (AT) improves the metabolic syndrome (MS) and its component risk factors; however, to our knowledge, no randomized clinical studies have addressed whether resistance training (RT) improves the MS when performed alone or combined with AT. Sedentary, overweight dyslipidemic men and women, aged 18 to 70 years completed a 4-month inactive run-in period and were randomized to 1 of 3 eight-month exercise programs (n = 196). The exercise programs were (1) RT (3 days/week, 3 sets/day of 8 to 12 repetitions of 8 different exercises targeting all major muscle groups); (2) AT (∼120 minutes/week at 75% of the maximum oxygen uptake), and (3) AT and RT combined (AT/RT) (exact combination of AT and RT). Of the 196 randomized patients, 144 completed 1 of the 3 exercise programs. The 86 participants with complete data for all 5 MS criteria were used in the present analysis, and a continuous MS z score was calculated. Eight months of RT did not change the MS score. AT improved the MS score (p <0.07) and showed a trend toward significance compared to RT (p <0.10). AT/RT significantly decreased the MS score and was significantly different from RT alone. In conclusion, RT was not effective at improving the MS score; however, AT was effective. Combined AT and RT was similarly effective but not different from AT alone. When weighing the time commitment versus health benefit, the data suggest that AT alone was the most efficient mode of exercise for improving cardiometabolic health.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00275145.

Figure 1

Flowchart of screening and randomization inclusion and exclusion.

Figure 2

Effects of exercise modes on changes in (A) MS z score, (B) waist circumference (cm), (C) TG (mg/dl), (D) HDL (mg/dl), (E) mean arterial pressure (mm Hg), and (F) fasting plasma glucose (mg/dl). Error bars indicate SE. **p <0.05 and *p <0.10 compared to RT; ^‡p <0.10 compared to AT.

Figure 3

ATP III risk factor and MS prevalence before and after exercise intervention. MS defined as having 3 of 5 criteria: waist circumference (WC) ≥102 cm in men and ≥88 cm in women, blood pressure (BP) ≥130 mm Hg systolic or ≥85 diastolic, HDL cholesterol <40 mg/dl in men and <50 mg/dl in women, TG ≥150 mg/dl, and fasting plasma blood glucose (FBG) ≥100 mg/dl.