Metabolic syndrome components response to the conducted 16-week randomised-controlled training trial on an elliptical trainer

Abstract Background Exercise – with or without dietary regimens – is the first lifestyle modification approach for metabolic syndrome (MetSyndrome) treatment. The effect of combined exercise protocol, moderate-intensity continuous training (CT) plus high-intensity interval training (HIIT), on the relatively-new elliptical trainer (ET) rehabilitation device, was not examined before. This randomised-controlled training trial aimed to explore the effect of combined CT + HIIT – conducted on ET – on body mass index (BMI) and MetSyndrome components: fasting blood glucose, systolic/diastolic blood pressure (BP), abdominal circumference, triglycerides (TGs) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Methods Two women and 38 men (aged 51 ± 8.21 years old) with MetSyndrome were randomly assigned to the elliptical exercise (EEX) group (1 ♂, 19 ♀) and control group (requested to maintain their usual/normal daily physical exertion). Results While there were no significant modifications within the control group, pre-to-post comparison (by paired test) after the 16-week intervention within the EEx group showed significantly improved BMI and MetSyndorme components (except HDL). Conclusions Starting an exercise session with moderate-intensity CT, then followed or augmented with HIIT three times weekly for 16 weeks on an ET device can prevent, alter or treat the deterioration of MetSyndrome components.