Authors: S Greie E Humpeler H C Gunga E Koralewski A Klingler M Mittermayr D Fries M Lechleitner H Hoertnagl G Hoffmann G StraussBlasche W Schobersberger
Publish Date: 2014/03/11
Volume: 29, Issue: 6, Pages: 497-504
Abstract
To study the influence of a 3week hiking vacation at moderate 1700 m and low altitude LA 200 m on keymarkers of the metabolic syndrome 71 male volunteers age 36–66 yr old with the metabolic syndrome according to the National Cholesterol Education Program’s Adult Treatment Panel III NCEPATP III — or World Health Organization WHO — definition participated in the study and were randomly assigned into a moderate altitude MA group 1700 m no 36 and a low altitude LA group 200 m no 35 The 3week vacation program included 12 moderateintensity guided hiking tours 4 times/week 55–65 heart rate maximum HRmax with a total exercise time of 29 h plus moderate recreational activities Both study groups had a comparable and balanced nutrition with no specific dietary restrictions Anthropometric metabolic and cardiovascular parameters were measured 10–14 days before vacation several times during the 3week vacation 7–10 days and 6–8 weeks after return All participants tolerated the vacation without any adverse effects Body weight body fat waistcircumference fasting glucose total cholesterol LDLcholesterol LDLC plasma fibrinogen resting systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly decreased over time in both study groups In the LA group fasting insulin and homeostasis model assessment HOMAindex were significantly decreased one week after return Relative cycle ergometry performance was significantly increased after return compared to baseline In both study groups waisttohip ratio WHR 2h oral glucose tolerance test OGTT HDLcholesterol HDLC and triglycerides remained unchanged The 3week vacation intervention at moderate and LA had a positive influence on all keymarkers of the metabolic syndrome No clinically relevant differences could be detected between the study groups A hiking vacation at moderate and LA can be recommended for people with stable controlled metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors
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