Influence of Physical Activity on the Regulation of Disease of Elderly Persons with Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is a group of metabolic risk factors whose combination significantly contributes to the development of the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, stroke, some cancers and is a clear indicator of morbidity rate. The aim of this study was to identify physical activity programs that can successfully influence the reduction of risk factors in metabolic syndrome of the elderly. Subjects were aged between 60 and 80 years, had three of five signs of metabolic syndrome, and were randomly divided into three groups of 20 subjects. The first group conducted a continuous cycling ergometer (55% VO₂max), the second group a physical activity strength program and the third was a control group. Before and after the experimental treatment body composition, biochemical parameters, functional parameters, cardiovascular functions, metabolic and hematological system were determined. Significant differences between control and experimental groups were determined using MANOVA. The training effects of the experimental and control groups were determined using the ANOVA for repeated measurements with Bonfferoni correction. The results showed that a physical activity program of strength has a better effect on disease regulation in the elderly with metabolic syndrome than a moderate-intensity physical activity program which also has a significant change but in less variables.