Eccentric Resistance Exercise Effects on Older Adults With Metabolic Syndrome

Background This nonrandomized pilot study explored how whole-body eccentric resistance exercise training (ECC-RT) would change physical fitness and health parameters of older adults with metabolic syndrome symptoms. We hypothesized that ECC-RT would effectively improve neuromuscular and cardio-metabolic parameters. Methods Six men and 11 women aged between 62 and 79 (70.0 ± 5.0) years with body mass index >25 kg · m −2 , dyslipidemia, and some indications of metabolic syndrome participated in this study. All performed 8 ECC-RT exercises of the major muscle groups twice a week for 8 weeks with a gradual increase in intensity from 10% to 100% of their maximal concentric strength assessed by 1-repetition maximum (1-RM) for each exercise. Before and after the training intervention, 1-RM strength of all exercises, physical function tests, sensory organization test (SOT) for balance, body composition, and some cardio-metabolic blood markers were measured. Results All participants completed 16 training sessions without any injuries or adverse effects. The concentric 1-RM strength increased ( P < 0.05) for all exercises from baseline by 34.1% ± 13.8% (lateral pulldown) to 115.8% ± 108.7% (calf raise). Significant ( P < 0.05) improvement of 400-m walk (12.8% ± 6.7%), repeated chair rise (18.6% ± 16.4%), timed up and go (13.6% ± 6.0%), and vestibular (26.1% ± 37.9%) and total score (6.5% ± 8.3%) in SOT were evident, although large variations in responses were observed among participants. However, no significant changes in body composition and blood markers were found. Conclusion The ECC-RT was tolerable for all participants and was effective for improving muscle strength and some physical function tests, but did not affect the metabolic syndrome parameters, possibly because of the short intervention period and small sample size.