Effects of 12 weeks of power-oriented resistance training plus high-intensity interval training on metabolic syndrome factors in older people with COPD

Objectives To assess the effects of an exercise training program combining power-oriented resistance training(RT)and high-intensity interval training(HIIT)on metabolic syndrome(MetS)markers in older people with COPD.Methods Twenty-nine older people(66–90 years old)with COPD were randomly assigned to 12 weeks of exercise training(ET;power-oriented RT+HIIT)or a control group(CON).Waist circumference,diastolic(DBP)and systolic blood pressure(SBP),and serum fasting glucose,triglycerides and HDL cholesterol levels were assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks.Linear mixed-effects models were used to assess the effects of the intervention,and data were reported as mean and 95%confidence interval values.Results Waist circumference increased in the CT group,but not in the ET group(2.0[0.2,3.7]vs.1.0[−1.3,3.2]cm,respectively).No changes in fasting glucose(−4.1[−10.3,2.1]vs.−1.0[−8.7,6.7]mg dL−1),triglycerides(3.9[−13.4,21.3]vs.−13.9[−35.6,7.7]mg dL−1)or HDL cholesterol(1.0[−3.4,5.4]vs.2.9[−2.6,8.4]mg dL−1)were found in the CT or ET group,respectively.The ET group exhibited decreased DBP(−5.2[−9.5,−0.8]mmHg)and SBP(−2.7[−22.7,−2.7]mmHg),while no changes were found in the CT group(0.3[−3.2,3.7]and−3.5[−11.4,4.5]mmHg).MetS z-score declined in ET but remained unchanged in CT(−0.88[−1.74,−0.03]vs.0.07[−0.62,0.76],respectively).Conclusions A 12-week exercise training program led to a reduction in blood pressure and MetS z-score in older people with COPD.