The effect of exercise, reflexology and chrome on metabolic syndrome

Abstract

Background: Metabolic syndrome (METS) is associated with a cardiovascular risk factor characterized by waist circumference, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, low HDL, and high blood sugar. Exercise and physical activity might support the prevention of metabolic syndrome. Study design: This study comprised a 12-week randomized controlled trial. Method: A total of 25 university workers with METS risk factors participated in this study voluntarily. They were randomly divided into 3 groups: those undertaking a core exercise program (n=7), reflexology intervention group (n=8) and chrome intake group (n=10). The subjects took part in a core exercise program for 1 hour per day, 3 days a week and a reflexology interfered for 30 minutes per day, 1 day a week and chrome group took chromium picolinate every day in the week for 12 weeks. The components of METS were analyzed before and after the completion of all the intervention. Results: There were significant differences in pre-prandial blood glucose (PBG) in the core exercise group and at systolic blood pressure (SBP) in chrome group after the 12-week interventions (p<0.005). While high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) excluding the components of METS decreased after the interventions on all groups; levels of HDL-C and the other components of METS decreased in reflexology group. Conclusion: There was a clear response to the 12-week interventions regarding METS control. Besides, the reflexology intervention should not be applied to individuals with low HDL-C levels, and core exercise and intake chrome picolinate suggested to improve the components of METS.