Therapeutic Exercise in Adults with Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70577/3mwthe38Keywords:
Metabolic Syndrome; Exercise Therapy; Physical Therapy Modalities; Resistance Training; Systematic Review.Abstract
To analyze the effectiveness of physiotherapy strategies based on structured therapeutic exercise on cardiometabolic components in adults with metabolic syndrome.
A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA, with searches in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Randomized controlled trials were included when they involved adults with metabolic syndrome or compatible clinical criteria and assessed aerobic exercise, resistance training, concurrent training, HIIT, multicomponent exercise, or supervised physical activity programs. Outcomes included waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting glucose, triglycerides, HDL, body weight, body mass index, HOMA-IR, metabolic syndrome reversal, adherence, and quality of life.
A total of 1,245 records were identified, and 14 randomized controlled trials were included. Therapeutic exercise showed favorable effects on insulin resistance, fasting glucose, waist circumference, blood pressure, body composition, functional capacity, and quality of life. Combined aerobic-resistance training showed the most consistent effects, while HIIT provided relevant cardiometabolic benefits with shorter session duration.
Structured therapeutic exercise is an effective physiotherapy strategy to improve metabolic syndrome components, therefore, exercise modality should be individualized according to functional status, cardiometabolic risk, safety, and adherence.
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