Effects of 12 Weeks of Combined Exercise on Vascular Function-Related Inflammation Factors, Carotid Intima-Media Thickness and Physical Fitness in Obese 40s-Aged Women with Metabolic Syndrome

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 12 weeks of combined exercise on vascular function-related inflammation, carotid intima-media thickness and fitness factors in obese middle-aged women with metabolic syndrome. Methods: The subjects of this study were 40 middle-aged women in their 40s with metabolic syndrome but no specific disease. The exercise group performed aerobic exercise and resistance exercise five times a week for 12 weeks, and then measured body composition, blood pressure, vascular function-related inflammation factors, metabolic syndrome factors, carotid intima-media thickness, and physical factors. Results: The exercise group showed a significant (p ＜ 0.05) reduction after exercise in all items related to body composition, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and intima-media thickness of the right carotid and left carotid arteries. Exercise group showed a significant decrease (p ＜ 0.05) after exercise in interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor- α , leptin, and all items of glucose metabolism-related variables. The exercise group showed a significant (p ＜ 0.05) increase after exercise physical efficiency index, grip strength, sit-ups, and sit & reach. After 12 weeks of exercise training, the reduction of intima-media thickness of the carotid artery was significantly (p ＜ 0.05) correlated with the improvement of body weight, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, grip and sit & reach, blood HbA1c, and triglyceride concentration. Conclusion: In conclusion, metabolic syndrome improved the body composition, blood glucose metabolism and lipid variables after 12 weeks of combined exercise program for obese middle-aged women. Significant improvement in blood pressure and carotid endometrial thickness, which is a function-related indicator, was confirmed.