Association between Metabolic Syndrome and Physical Fitness in Postmenopausal Women

The research is performed in order to know the relationship between the metabolic syndrome and the physical fitness targeted for menopausal women (over 45 years). All subjects were divided into 4 groups; group without risk factors of metabolic syndrome (MS-0: n=74), group having one risk factor of metabolic syndrome (MS-1: n=68), group having two risk factors of metabolic syndrome (MS-2: n=44), and group having more than three risk factors of metabolic syndrome (MS ${\geq}$ 3: n=30). All groups' height, weight, body mass index and percent of body fat were measured. High density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), triglyceride, glucose and blood pressure (BP) levels were measured. Their cardiorespiratory ($VO_2max$) endurance, muscular strength, muscle endurance, and flexibility were measured. HDL, triglyceride, glucose and BP levels in MS-1, MS-2, and MS ${\geq}$ 3 group were significantly greater than those of MS-0 group. The endurance ($VO_2max$) in MS ${\geq}$ 3 group was higher than that of MS-0 group. Multiple regression with the risk factors of metabolic syndrome and the physical fitness showed a statistical significance in only $VO_2max$. We found that the risk factors of the metabolic syndrome adversely affect postmenopausal women's $VO_2max$ and that a decreased $VO_2max$ may have prognostic value for the prediction of metabolic syndrome.