The Effects of Continuous and Interval Aerobic Training on the Metabolic Syndrome in Elderly Men

Metabolic syndrome encompasses a series of metabolic disorders associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Currently, some studies are performed on the effects of physical activity as an alternative treatment for metabolic syndrome. To this end, the present study was set to assess the probable effects of continuous and interval aerobic trainings on metabolic syndrome among the elderly men.
60 eligible elderly men were selected and assigned to three groups of: continuous training, interval training and the control. The initial blood samples were taken to record cardiovascular risk factors. After 48 hours, the subjects in the experimental group performed pre-designed training for 6 weeks and 3 sessions per week and the control group continued their daily activities. At the end of the training, further blood samples were taken again. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, Scheffe post hoc and dependent t-test.
Findings of this study revealed that after six weeks of continuous aerobic exercise training, systolic blood pressure, blood sugar and triglycerides significantly decreased. However, waist circumference and HDL did not show any significant change. The findings of this study showed significant changes in blood sugar, triglycerides and HDL in the interval training group. However, blood pressure and waist circumference did not indicate any significant changes.
According to the findings of this research, it can be asserted that both methods of aerobic training positively affect blood glucose and triglyceride signifying that interval aerobic exercise plays a major role in increasing HDL, while continuous aerobic exercise reduces systolic blood pressure.