Mediterranean diet, moderate-to-high intensity training, and health-related quality of life in adults with metabolic syndrome

Abstract

Background: Much recent research has focused on the benefits of the Mediterranean diet on risk factors of metabolic syndrome (MetS). In addition numerous investigations have also demonstrated that moderate and high-intensity endur- ance training may induce greater beneficial adaptations in body composition and cardiometabolic risk than low-intensity endurance training. How a model of Mediterranean diet with and without moderate-to-high intensity training influences health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and physical fitness in MetS patients is unknown. Design and methods: A total of 45 sedentary MetS males and females (50–66 years) were randomly divided into two groups: (a) hypocaloric, normoproteic Mediterranean diet (MeD); and (b) the same diet plus periodized moderate- to-high intensity training (MeDE) for 12 weeks. HRQoL (EuroQol and SF-36 questionnaires), fitness, response to submaximal exercise, and risk factors of MetS were determined before and after treatment. Results: MeD improved some physical and mental domains of HRQoL (physical function, vitality, general physical health, emotional role, and self-perception of health) and resulted in weight loss and improvement of MetS risk factors (intra- group p < 0.05). Moreover, the MeDE intervention resulted in greater improvement in these domains and the improve- ment of other HRQoL components (physical role, bodily pain, social function, and health profile). MeDE increased physical fitness, resulted in a better physiological response to submaximal effort and caused a greater weight loss (intra- group and inter-group, p < 0.05). Conclusions: A model of hypocaloric Mediterranean diet combined with periodized moderate-to-high intensity training may lead to greater improvement in HRQoL through a greater effect on physical and functional fitness, bodyweight, and risk factors than diet alone.