Abstract MP015: Resistance Exercise and Incident Metabolic Syndrome in Men

Abstract

Introduction: There is little evidence on the association between resistance exercise and incident metabolic syndrome. Hypothesis: We examined the hypothesis that resistance exercise reduces the risk of developing metabolic syndrome in men. Methods: Participants were 6,098 men aged 18 to 83 years (mean age, 46) who received an extensive preventive medical examination during 1987–2006, and were free of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and metabolic syndrome at baseline. Resistance exercise was assessed by self-reported muscle strengthening activities using either free weights or weight training machines. We used the frequency of resistance exercise (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and ≥5 days/week) as our main exposure categories. Metabolic syndrome was defined as the presence of ≥3 of the following criteria: waist circumference >102 cm, triglycerides ≥150 mg/dL, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol <40 mg/dL, systolic/diastolic blood pressure ≥130/85 mm Hg or physician-diagnosed hypertension, and fasting glucose ≥100 mg/dL or physician-diagnosed diabetes according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III. Follow-up was calculated from the baseline examination to the first event of metabolic syndrome or the last examination through 2006. Cox regression analysis was used to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of incident metabolic syndrome across resistance exercise. Age, examination year, body mass index, current smoking, heavy alcohol drinking (>14 drinks/week), abnormal electrocardiography, and aerobic exercise (inactive, low, medium, and high) were included in the multivariate regression model. Results: During the 5-year mean follow-up, 1,088 men developed metabolic syndrome. About 62% of men did not participate in resistance exercise, 3% of men participated in 1 day/week of resistance exercise, and 35% of men met the Physical Activity Guidelines for resistance exercise (≥2 days/week). Resistance exercise was inversely associated with incident metabolic syndrome after adjusting for possible confounders including aerobic exercise (trend P <0.01). Compared with no resistance exercise, the HRs (95% CIs) of developing metabolic syndrome were 0.83 (0.55–1.26), 0.88 (0.70–1.11), 0.85 (0.72–1.02), 0.62 (0.43–0.88), and 0.74 (0.51–1.07) for 1, 2, 3, 4, and ≥5 days/week of resistance exercise, respectively. Men meeting the recommended resistance exercise (≥2 days/week) had 18% lower risk of developing metabolic syndrome (HR=0.82, 95% CI=0.71–0.94) compared with men not meeting the recommendation (0 or 1 day/week of resistance exercise). Conclusions: Participating in resistance exercise may reduce the risk of developing metabolic syndrome in adult men.