Resistance and/or Endurance Training, What is Most Effective in Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases?

Strength Training Versus Aerobic Interval Training to Modify Risk Factors of the Metabolic Syndrome

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of aerobic interval training versus strength training or a combination of these regimes on factors comprising the metabolic syndrome in order to find the most effective exercise regime for patients with metabolic syndrome.

In the Western world, approximately 25% of young to middle-aged adults have metabolic syndrome. There seem to be a strong age-dependence in the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome, but the incidence rises rapidly within adolescents and middle-aged groups and follows the development of obesity in the general population. Metabolic syndrome confers an increased risk of coronary heart disease, cardiovascular disease, and premature death; therefore, effective and affordable strategies to combat the syndrome would be of great individual and social importance.

Despite the general agreement that moderate-intensity physical activity for a minimum of 30 min five days per week or vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity for a minimum of 20 min three days a week promote and maintain health, the optimal training regime to treat metabolic syndrome and its associated cardiovascular abnormalities remains uncertain.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Having metabolic syndrome according to international diabetes foundations definition (IDF).

Exclusion Criteria:

• Unstable angina pectoris
• Uncompensated heart failure
• Myocardial infarction during the past 4 weeks
• Complex ventricular arrhythmias
• Kidney failure