[The metabolic syndrome and sports]

Lack of exercise and overweight are the causes of the metabolic syndrome (MTS), which are currently acquiring almost epidemic proportions. Endurance training, practiced alone or in combination with strength training, has a positive influence on the insulin resistance that is at the heart of MTS. Endurance training has a promoting effect in particular on the uptake of glucose by muscle cells. Strength training reduces insulin resistance, and increases muscle mass and, as a result, at the same time also the volume available for the uptake of glucose from the blood. In addition, strength training also reduces visceral fat. For the purpose of weight reduction in patients with MTS, the training-related calorie consumption must be appreciably more than 2,000, and preferably should be around 3000-3500 kcal/week.