The metabolic syndrome is a complex clustering of metabolic defects associated with physical inactivity, abdominal adiposity, and aging.

Purpose

To examine the effects of exercise training intensity on abdominal visceral fat (AVF) and body composition in obese women with the metabolic syndrome.

Methods

Twenty-seven middle-aged, obese women (mean±SD; age: 51±9 years and body mass index: 34±6 kg/m 2) with the metabolic syndrome completed one-of-three 16-week aerobic exercise interventions:(i) No Exercise Training (Control): Seven participants maintained their existing levels of physical activity,(ii) Low-Intensity Exercise Training (LIET): eleven participants exercised 5 days· week-1 at an intensity≤ lactate threshold (LT)(iii) High-Intensity Exercise Training (HIET): nine participants exercised 3 days· week-1 at an intensity> LT and 2 days· week-1≤ LT. Exercise time was adjusted to maintain caloric expenditure (400 kcal· session-1). Single-slice computed tomography scans obtained at the L4-L5 disc-space and mid-thigh were used to determine abdominal fat and thigh muscle cross-sectional areas. Percent body fat was assessed by air displacement plethysmography.

Results

HIET significantly reduced total abdominal fat (p< 0.001), abdominal subcutaneous fat (p= 0.034) and AVF (p= 0.010). There were no significant changes observed in any of these parameters within the Control or LIET conditions.

Conclusions

The present data indicate that body composition changes are affected by intensity of exercise training with HIET more effective for reducing total abdominal fat, subcutaneous abdominal fat and AVF in obese women with the metabolic syndrome.