Carotid thickness, vascular age and physical training in metabolic syndrome

Abstract

Aim. To investigate the influence of concurrent exercise training (CS) on carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and vascular age (VA) in individuals with metabolic syndrome (MS).

Method. 22 sedentary volunteers (51.50 ± 6.52 years of age) underwent EC for 30 weeks, three times a week. Before and after CS, anthropometric, functional and biochemical variables were analyzed. Two-dimensional ultrasound of the carotid IMT was performed. The comparison and quantification of the carotid IMT of the participants was called VA. The difference between VA and chronological age was called age delta and the Framingham risk score was calculated. Additionally, the modified Framingham risk score (MFS) in which chronological age was replaced by VA was also calculated.

Results. After 30 weeks of CE, there is no statistical decrease in carotid IMT, VA, age delta, and Framingham score. However, the MFS score decreased after the intervention (p < 0.05). Furthermore, in individuals with MS, CS increases high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels (p < 0.05) as well as estimated maximum oxygen consumption (p < 0.01).

Conclusion. The proposed concurrent training does not modify carotid IMT or VA, although a reduction in the MFS score is observed, which may serve to identify previously unidentified high-risk individuals and help in the individualized therapy of patients with MS.