Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Metabolic Syndrome in Older Men and Women

OBJECTIVE: We studied the association of maximum oxygen uptake (Vo(2max)) with the development and resolution of metabolic syndrome (MetS) for 2 years in older individuals. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Subjects were a population sample of 1,226 men and women aged 57-78 years. We assessed Vo(2max) directly by respiratory gas analysis during maximum exercise testing and used dichotomous and continuous variables for MetS. RESULTS: One SD increase in baseline Vo(2max) associated with 44% (95% CI 24-58) decreased risk of developing MetS. Individuals in the highest third of baseline Vo(2max) were 68% (37-84) less likely to develop MetS than those in the lowest third. One SD increase in Vo(2max) increased the likelihood to resolve MetS 1.8 (1.2-2.8) times. Individuals in the highest Vo(2max) third were 3.9 (1.5-9.9) times more likely to resolve MetS than those in the lowest third. CONCLUSIONS: Higher levels of cardiorespiratory fitness protect against MetS and may resolve it in older individuals.