Objectives: The link between changes in leg strength per body weight and metabolic syndrome was evaluated in Japanese men with a 1-year follow up.
Subjects and Methods: We used data for 136 Japanese men (45.5 ± 8.5 years) with a 1-year follow up. All subjects were given instructions by well-trained medical staff on how to change their lifestyle. Metabolic syndrome has been defined by a new criterion in Japan. The association between changes in leg strength per body weight and metabolic syndrome was evaluated.
Results: With a 1-year follow up, body weight, abdominal circumference, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and triglyceride were significantly reduced. Leg strength and leg strength per body weight and HDL cholesterol were significantly increased. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was significantly reduced. There was significant relationship between changes in metabolic syndrome and changes in leg strength per body weight. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was significantly reduced in subjects with an increase in leg strength per body weight (Group I) compared to subjects without such an increase (Group D). In addition, there were remarkable differences in delta abdominal circumference (delta represents positive changes in parameters) between Group I and Group D.
Conclusion: An increase in leg strength per body weight may be associated with improving metabolic syndrome and abdominal circumference in Japanese men.

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