Impact of Resistance Training on Quality of Life and Ischemia Modified Albumin Levels in Men with Cardiovascular Risk Factors

Abstract

There are limited data concerning the effects of Resistance Training (RT) on the components of Quality of Life (QOL) and Ischemia Modified Albumin (IMA) serum levels, even though QOL is an important characteristic related to the treatment success involving non communicable diseases. Studies regarding IMA and physical activity have focused only in the acute effects of exercise. Thereby, the purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of a moderate intensity RT on Health-related Quality of Life (HRQoL) and IMA levels in men with cardiovascular risk factors. Methods: Nineteen sedentary men (59 ± 8.63 years old) with metabolic syndrome (MS) components underwent a RT with sessions three times a week, comprising 12 exercises, during 12 weeks. The Short-Form 36 was administered to evaluate the domains of physical and mental components of HRQOL pre and post-intervention. Body composition and serum biochemical parameters were analyzed. Results: Volunteers had total body fat content and total muscle mass unchanged along the intervention. With regard to serum analysis, triglycerides and IMA levels remained unchanged with RT, while increased HDL levels (p < 0.001) and reduced ratio between total and HDL cholesterol (p = 0.006) were observed. Moreover, improvements in the HRQOL subscales of role-physical (p = 0.048), general health (p < 0.001), vitality (p < 0.001), social functioning (p = 0.044) and mental health (p = 0.006) were verified after the RT. Conclusions: It was concluded that a moderate RT is useful in providing benefits on quality of life in men with cardiovascular risk factors, despite the maintenance of IMA levels.KEYWORDS: Quality of Life; Middle aged; Strength training; Health, Metabolic Syndrome X; Ischemia-modified serum albumin. MAiN KEY FiNDiNgS-Resistance training provides improvements on physical and mental components of quality of life in men with cardiovascular risk factors; -Benefits on quality of life outcomes afforded by moderate resistance training are independent of changes in ischemia modified albumin levels and body composition adaptations.