The Metabolic Syndrome and the immediate antihypertensive effects of aerobic exercise: a randomized control design

Abstract

BackgroundThe metabolic syndrome (Msyn) affects about 40% of those with hypertension. The Msyn and hypertension have a common pathophysiology. Exercise is recommended for their treatment, prevention and control. The influence of the Msyn on the antihypertensive effects of aerobic exercise is not known. We examined the influence of the Msyn on the blood pressure (BP) response following low (LIGHT, 40% peak oxygen consumption, VO2peak) and moderate (MODERATE, 60% VO2peak) intensity, aerobic exercise.MethodsSubjects were 46 men (44.3 ± 1.3 yr) with pre- to Stage 1 hypertension (145.5 ± 1.6/86.3 ± 1.2 mmHg) and borderline dyslipidemia. Men with Msyn (n = 18) had higher fasting insulin, triglycerides and homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) and lower high density lipoprotein than men without Msyn (n = 28) (p < 0.01). Subjects consumed a standard meal and 2 hr later completed one of three randomized experiments separated by 48 hr. The experiments were a non-exercise control session of seated rest and two cycle bouts (LIGHT and MODERATE). BP, insulin and glucose were measured before, during and after the 40 min experiments. Subjects left the laboratory wearing an ambulatory BP monitor for the remainder of the day. Repeated measure ANCOVA tested if BP, insulin and glucose differed over time among experiments in men without and with the Msyn with HOMA as a covariate. Multivariable regression analyses examined associations among BP, insulin, glucose and the Msyn.ResultsSystolic BP (SBP) was reduced 8 mmHg (p < 0.05) and diastolic BP (DBP) 5 mmHg (p = 0.052) after LIGHT compared to non-exercise control over 9 hr among men without versus with Msyn. BP was not different after MODERATE versus non-exercise control between Msyn groups (p ≥ 0.05). The factors accounting for 17% of the SBP response after LIGHT were baseline SBP (β = -0.351, r2 = 0.123, p = 0.020), Msyn (β = 0.277, r2 = 0.077, p = 0.069), and HOMA (β = -0.124, r2 = 0.015, p = 0.424). Msyn (r2 = 0.096, p = 0.036) was the only significant correlate of the DBP response after LIGHT.ConclusionMen without the Msyn respond more favorably to the antihypertensive effects of lower intensity, aerobic exercise than men with the Msyn. If future work confirms our findings, important new knowledge will be gained for the personalization of exercise prescriptions among those with hypertension and the Msyn.

Different mechanisms in weight loss-induced blood pressure reduction between a calorie-restricted diet and exercise

“…Interestingly, some investigators 55 reported that obese subjects without the metabolic syndrome had more pronounced benefits of weight loss-induced BP reduction than those with the metabolic syndrome. We previously observed blunted responses of plasma NE and insulin to oral glucose ingestion in subjects with insulin resistance, 40,56 suggesting that exercise amelioration on insulin resistance may be an ancillary effect on weight loss-induced BP reduction.…”

Effects of aerobic and resistance exercise intensities on 24-hours blood pressure in normotensive women

“…In contrast, several studies did not report a significant BP reduction over the 24-h period after aerobic exercise in normotensive young women (Forjaz et al, 1998;Pescatello et al, 2008).…”

The Impact of an Aquatic Exercise Protocol on Physiologic Measures Within an Asthmatic Population

“…4 [2011] risk factor (e.g., blood pressure, CRP, glucose, insulin, HDL, LDL) with significant differences over the 12-week aquatic exercise protocol. The significant increases in glucose over time were small but unexpected since exercise training has been shown to decrease glucose concentrations in healthy and disease populations (Hansen et al, 2009;Pescatello et al, 2008). Currently, there is no clear explanation for the slight increases in blood glucose concentrations.…”