Effects of resistance training on insulin sensitivity in patients with metabolic syndrome: a systematic review

Abstract

The rising prevalence of metabolic syndrome has become a major public health concern, driven by sedentary lifestyles, poor dietary habits, and the global increase in obesity. Defined by a cluster of clinical conditions — including abdominal obesity, insulin resistance, hypertension, and dyslipidemia — the syndrome is strongly linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Among these components, insulin resistance plays a central role in its pathophysiology. This study aims to investigate the effects of resistance training on insulin sensitivity in individuals diagnosed with metabolic syndrome through a systematic review of the literature. The search was conducted in PubMed, ScienceDirect, and BVS databases, considering studies published in the last five years, in Portuguese, English, or Spanish. After applying the eligibility criteria, six studies were selected, including randomized clinical trials conducted in various countries and populations, mainly older adults and postmenopausal women. The studies showed that resistance training, whether isolated or combined with other modalities, significantly improves insulin resistance, lipid profile, body composition, inflammatory markers, and sleep quality. Despite methodological limitations such as small sample sizes and protocol variability, the findings suggest that physical exercise should be considered a first-line therapeutic strategy in the management of metabolic syndrome. This review reinforces the importance of individualized and periodized exercise prescription as a clinically impactful tool.