BACKGROUND: Individuals with the metabolic syndrome are 3 times more likely to die of heart disease than healthy counterparts. Exercise training reduces several of the symptoms of the syndrome, but the exercise intensity that yields the maximal beneficial adaptations is in dispute. We compared moderate and high exercise intensity with regard to variables associated with cardiovascular function and prognosis in patients with the metabolic syndrome. METHODS AND RESULTS: Thirty-two metabolic syndrome patients (age 52.3 +/- 3.7 years; maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) 34 mL/kg/min)) were randomized to equal volumes of either moderate continuous moderate exercise (CME; 70% of highest measured heart rate (Hfmax)) or aerobic interval training (AIT; 90% of Hfmax) 3 times a week for 16 weeks or to a control group. VO2max increased more after AIT than CME (35% versus 16%; p < 0.01) and was associated with removal of more risk factors that constitute the metabolic syndrome (number of factors: AIT, 5.9 before versus 4.0 after; p < 0.01; CME, 5.7 before versus 5.0 after; group difference, p < 0.05). AIT was superior to CME in enhancing endothelial function (9% versus 5%; p < 0.001), insulin signaling in fat and skeletal muscle, skeletal muscle biogenesis, and excitation-contraction coupling and in reducing blood glucose and lipogenesis in adipose tissue. The 2 exercise programs were equally effective at lowering mean arterial blood pressure and reducing body weight (-2.3 and -3.6 kg in AIT and CME, respectively) and fat. CONCLUSIONS: Exercise intensity was an important factor for improving aerobic capacity and reversing the risk factors of the metabolic syndrome. These findings may have important implications for exercise training in rehabilitation programs and future studies.
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