Metabolic and cardiorespiratory fitness changes in women undergoing a physical exercise program assisted by a mobile application. A non-randomized controlled study

• Published in: Revista medíca de Chile 2023-07, Vol.151 (7), p.869
• Main Authors: Cárcamo-Regla, Richar, Carrasco-Marín, Fernanda, Ochoa-Rosales, Carolina, Zapata-Lamana, Rafael, Rozas, Katherine, Martorell, Miquel, Nazar, Gabriela, Cigarroa, Igor, Reyes-Molina, Daniel, Stuardo-Álvarez, Marcia, Gacitúa, Felipe, Ulloa, Natalia
• Format: Article
• Language: Spanish
• Subjects: Adult; Blood Pressure - physiology; Cardiorespiratory Fitness - physiology; Exercise - physiology; Exercise Therapy - methods; Female; Humans; Metabolic Syndrome - physiopathology; Metabolic Syndrome - therapy; Middle Aged; Mobile Applications; Oxygen Consumption - physiology; Waist Circumference - physiology
• ISSN: 0717-6163; 0717-6163
• DOI: 10.4067/s0034-98872023000700869

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is prevalent in our population. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of physical exercise, assisted by a mobile application (m-Health), on cardiorespiratory fitness (ACR) and cardiovascular risk markers in women with metabolic disorders typical of MetS, and to compare it with the effect of exercise monitored face to face in women with similar characteristics. Controlled experimental study with two arms. Forty-one women with metabolic disorders were recruited; 14 completed the study and, for convenience, formed the intervention group with m-Health or the control group with the Vida Sana Program, both carried out for ten weeks. ACR, body composition, anthropometry, and blood pressure (BP) were evaluated before and after the intervention. 95% of the women presented low and very low basal ACR. The group treated with m-Health after 10 weeks increased VO2max (% change: + 44.4; p = 0.035) and decreased waist circumference (% change: -2.6; p = 0.022) and DBP (% change: -14.1; p = 0.036). Meanwhile, the control group decreased waist circumference (% change: -6.5; p = 0.015) and DBP (% change: -12.2; p = 0.05) but did not change VO2 max. Comparisons between groups did not show differences. A physical exercise program via m-Health improved ACR and anthropometric parameters in women with cardiometabolic disorders.