Abstract
Background: It has been pointed out that moderate to vigorous exercise improves metabolic syndrome (MetS) criteria; however, studies on functional fitness in subjects with MetS are scarce. Aim: This study aimed to assess functional fitness abilities in MetS and non-MetS subjects. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Participants living in the Balearic Islands (n = 477, 52% men, 55–80 years old) with MetS (n = 333) and without MetS (n = 144). Anthropometric, socioeconomic and lifestyle characteristics were measured, and blood samples were collected. Functional fitness tests included: one leg balance, standing and sitting handgrip, 30-s chair stand, arm curl, chair sit-and-reach, back scratch, 8-foot time up-and-go, 30-m walk, and 6-min walk tests. A Functional Fitness Score was created from tests that measured agility and dynamic balance, static balance, lower-and-upper body strength, lower-and-upper body flexibility, aerobic endurance, and speed. Results: All functional fitness tests were lower in MetS subjects, except for back scratch and standing handgrip test. After adjusting for possible confounders (sex, age, civil status, education level, leisure-time physical activity) MetS subjects were more likely to be below average for a sex and age specific cut-off value of one leg balance (Odds Ratio, OR: 2.37; 95% Confidence Interval, CI: 1.25–4.48), chair stand (OR: 2.30; 95% CI: 1.26–3.20), arm curl (OR: 3.43; 95% CI:1.90–6.26), back scratch (OR: 3.49; 95% CI: 2.31–5.91), 8-foot up-&-go (OR: 13.03; 95% CI: 6.66–25.55), 30-m walk (OR: 8.10; 95% CI: 4.33–15.57) and 6-min walk test (OR: 3.28; 95% CI: 1.76–6.52), whereas they were more likely to be above average for sitting handgrip test (OR:1.69; 95% CI:1.21–2.95). Functional Fitness Score was lower in MetS subjects (5.44 ± 2.40 vs. 7.04 ± 1.72, p < 0.001), independently of sex and age. Conclusion: MetS participants showed lower functional fitness abilities and lower Functional Fitness Score than non-MetS peers, independently of sex, age, body mass index and waist circumference, showing lower ability to perform everyday activities safely and independently.
Highlights
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of risk factors, including hypertension, dyslipidaemia, hyperglycaemia, and visceral fat [1,2] that raises the risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)
Significant differences were found in sex, weight, Body mass index (BMI), Waist circumference (WC), prevalence of obesity, Leisure-time physical activity (LTPA), current smoking, diabetes, and hypertension between groups
Criteria of metabolic syndrome (MetS) were mostly shown by MetS participants
Summary
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of risk factors, including hypertension, dyslipidaemia, hyperglycaemia, and visceral fat [1,2] that raises the risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The average prevalence of MetS in the United States is around 35% of all adults and. 31%, with Balearic Islands as one region with the highest prevalence (33.5%) [5]. These are alarming data, as 13% of the worldwide population is estimated to be 65 years or older by. The global aging population is an important contributor to the increasing prevalence of MetS, as older adults are frequently affected by cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors that constitute the syndrome [7]. It has been pointed out that moderate to vigorous exercise improves metabolic syndrome (MetS) criteria; studies on functional fitness in subjects with MetS are scarce
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