Effect of a High-Protein Diet and/or High-Intensity Training on Metabolic Syndrome

High-protein diet interventions have been shown to be effective in reducing triglycerides
and increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations. Low-volume,
high-intensity cycling exercise has shown to elicit positive effects on metabolic syndrome
risk factors such as triglyceride concentrations. The objective of this study was to
determine the combined effects of a high-protein, reduced carbohydrate diet and
high-intensity interval training on metabolic syndrome risk factors in women. The second
primary aim is to investigate the effect of the macronutrient content of the post-exercise
meal consumed following an acute bout of interval training on postprandial metabolism.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Women aged 30-65 yrs of age, inclusive

- Waist circumference > 88 cm.

- Weight stable (within 2 kg) for past 6 mo

- Sedentary/Low-active (defined as <300minutes/wk light or moderate activity, with no
vigorous activity in last 6 months)

- At risk for MetS [defined as having 2 of the following 4 factors: 1)
hypertriglyceridemia defined as > 150 mg/mL, 2) low HDL cholesterol defined < 50 or
on medication, 3) elevated blood pressure defined as > 130/>85 Hg or taking
medications or 4) hyperglycemia defined as fasting blood glucose > 100 or glycated
hemoglobin > 6.5 or taking medications.

- Willing to be randomized to the four treatment groups

Exclusion Criteria:

- Any chronic disease/condition that would not permit exercise or dietary restriction
(including egg allergy or refusal to incorporate eggs into the diet) or alter
interpretation of data. Examples include, but are not limited to:

1. cardiopulmonary disease (e.g. recent myocardial infarction, unstable angina,
stroke) or unstable disease; 2) severe orthopedic, musculoskeletal or
neuromuscular impairments that would contradict exercise; 3) sensory impairments
that interfere with following directions; 4) diagnosis of dementia; 5) history
of malignancy during the past 5 yr; 6) medication use that impacts primary
outcomes of interest (e.g. statins); 7) weight greater than 400 pounds due to
DXA weight and size limitations; 8) Uncontrolled blood pressure defined as >
160/>100 Hg.