%0 Journal Article
%T Resistance Training Is an Effective Tool against Metabolic and Frailty Syndromes
%A Jan Sundell
%J Advances in Preventive Medicine
%D 2011
%I Hindawi Publishing Corporation
%R 10.4061/2011/984683
%X Metabolic syndrome is a set of risk factors (abdominal obesity, insulin resistance, hypertension, and dyslipidemia) which increases markedly the risk of arteriosclerotic vascular disease. In subjects with frailty syndrome, aging-related loss of muscle (sarcopenia) and bone (osteoporosis) might progress to the extent that an older person loses his or her ability to live independently. Due to ongoing obesity pandemic and growing elderly population, metabolic and frailty syndromes are major emerging concerns in healthcare system. Recent studies show that resistance training has remarkable beneficial effects on the musculoskeletal system including prevention and treatment of these syndromes. Resistance training has favourable effect on metabolic syndrome since it decreases fat mass including abdominal fat. It also enhances insulin sensitivity, improves glucose tolerance, and reduces blood pressure values. The combination of sarcopenia and osteoporosis is often seen in the frailty syndrome. Resistance training is probably the most effective measure to prevent and treat sarcopenia. In addition, many studies show that resistance training can maintain or even increase bone mineral density. Optimal nutrition enhances the anabolic effect of resistance training. Resistance training should be a central component of public health promotion programs along with an aerobic exercise. 1. Introduction Resistance training is any activity that causes muscles to contract against external force. Since the goal of resistance training is to progressively overload the musculoskeletal system, weight machines, dumbbells, and barbells are usually used as a resistance. Studies demonstrate that regular progressive resistance training develops the strength and size of muscles [1] and increases bone mass [2] from young male athletes to older women. In addition, resistance exercise might be even more beneficial than aerobic exercise for fat loss [3]. Traditionally, public health guidelines primarily focus on aerobic exercise, which mainly enhances cardiorespiratory fitness. Due to ongoing obesity pandemic and growing elderly population, metabolic [4] and frailty syndromes [5] are major emerging concerns in healthcare system. Recent studies show that resistance training has remarkable beneficial effects on the musculoskeletal system including prevention and treatment of these syndromes. The combination of resistance and aerobic training probably yields the greatest benefits in metabolic syndrome. Therefore, resistance training should be also a central component of public health promotion
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/apm/2011/984683/