Short-term effects of moderate intensity physical activity in patients with metabolic syndrome.

Objectives: To evaluate whether a short-term moderate intensity exercise program could change inflammatory parameters, and improve different components of metabolic syndrome in sedentary patients.

Methods: Sixteen patients completed the 12-week program of supervised exercise, which consisted of a 40 to 50 minutes of walking, 3 times a week, reaching 50 to 60% of the heart rate reserve. The parameters evaluated before and after intervention were waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, C-reactive protein and interleukin 8.