Table 1 Baseline and final characteristics of the studied group (n = 101)

Age, years

35.3 ± 6.4

59.7 ± 9.0***

Waist circumference, cm

85.1 ± 6.9

93.4 ± 7.9*

BMI, kg/m²

24.3 ± 2.8

25.1 ± 3.2

Body fat,  %

16.1 ± 4.2

20.2 ± 5.8*

Waist circumference ≥102 cm

1

24**

Systolic blood pressure, mmHg

120.3 ± 12.9

128.4 ± 12.7*

Diastolic blood pressure, mmHg

78.1 ± 6.6

79.6 ± 7.7

Blood pressure ≥130/85 mmHg, n

19

42^*

Triglycerides, mmol/l

1.27 ± 0.44

1.19 ± 0.44

TG ≥1.7 mmol/l, n

16

15

HDL-C mmol/l

1.30 ± 0.28

1.57 ± 0.28*

HDL-C <1.0 mmol/l

8

6

Fasting plasma glucose, mmol/l

4.52 ± 0.56

4.99 ± 0.46*

Fasting plasma glucose ≥6.1 mmol/l, n

1

12**

Uric acid, µmol/L

0.09 ± 0.01

0.10 ± 0.02

Metabolic syndrome, n

0

9**

TG/HDL ratio

0.98 ± 0.4

0.77 ± 0.3

Current smokers, n

17

5*

Alcohol consumption, units/week

4.71 ± 3.6

5.63 ± 4.3

Leisure-time physical activity, hours/week

 Low/moderate intensity (≤6 METs)

2.9 ± 2.98

3.0 ± 2.66

 High/very high intensity (>6 METs)

4.8 ± 1.9

4.1 ± 1.1

Exercise-related energy expenditure, kcal/week

3101.3 ± 2871.8

2735.3 ± 1872.5

PWC, W/kg

2.41 ± 0.56

1.97 ± 0.49*