title: Exercise Intensity and Incidence of Metabolic Syndrome: The SUN Project.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Emerging evidence suggests that vigorous physical activity may be associated with higher cardioprotective benefits than moderate physical activity. This study aimed to assess the long-term relationship between the intensity of leisure time physical activity (LTPA) and the risk of developing metabolic syndrome (MS) in a prospective cohort study.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra (SUN) Project comprises Spanish university graduates. Participants (n=10,145) initially free of MS were followed for a minimum of 6 years (2008-2014). Analysis was conducted in 2015. Physical activity was assessed though a validated questionnaire. The intensity of each physical activity was measured in METs. The intensity of LTPA was estimated by the ratio between total METs/week and total hours of LTPA/week, obtaining the mean METs/hour of LTPA. MS was defined according to the harmonizing definition. The association between the intensity of LTPA (METs/hour) and MS was assessed with logistic regression models adjusting for potential confounders.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among 10,145 participants initially free of any MS criteria, 412 new MS cases were observed. Vigorous LTPA was associated with a 37% relatively lower risk (AOR=0.63, 95% CI=0.44, 0.89) compared with light LTPA. For a given total energy expenditure, independent of the time spent on it, participants who performed vigorous LTPA exhibited a higher reduction in the risk of MS than those who performed light to moderate LTPA.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vigorous LTPA was significantly associated with lower risk of developing MS after a 6-year follow-up period.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Navarra Clinic, Pamplona, Navarra, Spain. Electronic address: mhidalgos@unav.es.
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hidalgo-Santamaria
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Medicine, University of Navarra Clinic, Pamplona, Navarra, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, Pamplona, Navarra, Spain.
authors.forename: Alejandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fernandez-Montero
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, Pamplona, Navarra, Spain; Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Navarra, Spain.
authors.forename: Miguel A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Martinez-Gonzalez
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, Pamplona, Navarra, Spain; Pediatrics Service, Complejo Hospital de Navarra, Servicio Navarro de Salud, Pamplona, Navarra, Spain.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Moreno-Galarraga
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain.
authors.forename: Almudena
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sanchez-Villegas
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiac Electrofisiology and Clinic Arrhythmology, Monteprincipe Hospital, Boadilla de Monte, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: María T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Barrio-Lopez
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, Pamplona, Navarra, Spain; Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Navarra, Spain.
authors.forename: Maira
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bes-Rastrollo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology