Using propensity score matching analysis to compare between cardiometabolic risk factors and physical activity type in Korean adults: findings from a nationwide population-based survey.

PURPOSE: We aimed to assess the effects of different exercise modalities on cardiometabolic risk factors within a comprehensive, representative sample of the Korean population. METHODS: We categorized 13,971 adult participants into aerobic exercise (AE), resistance exercise (RE), combined aerobic and resistance exercise (TE), insufficient exercise, and inactive groups. Multivariable regressions were conducted to compare the incidence of chronic diseases across the groups before and after propensity score matching (PSM). RESULTS: The TE and RE groups had significantly lower waist circumference (WC), mean blood pressure (BP), glucose and insulin-related indices, and white blood cell count (WBC) measures, with TE showing the most significant differences. The TE group had significantly lower triglyceride levels and higher high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels. Post-PSM, the TE group had the lowest risk for metabolic syndrome, hypertension, and diabetes, closely followed by the RE group when compared with the inactive group. In a subgroup analysis, RE consistently exhibited benefits including lower body mass index, WC, BP, total cholesterol, glucose and insulin-related indices, and WBC count when compared with AE. RE may be associated with reduced incidence of cardiometabolic diseases compared to AE alone. CONCLUSION: TE appears to be associated with significant reduction in cardiometabolic risk in Korean adults. RE possibly provides a more favorable cardiometabolic effect than AE.

Comparison of Metabolic Risk Factors Based on the Type of Physical Activity in Korean Adolescents: Results from a Nationwide Population-Based Survey.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity (PA) is associated with a favorable metabolic risk profile in adults. However, its role in adolescents remains unclear. In this study, using data (2019-2021) from the 8th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, we investigated the optimal exercise type for preventing metabolic complications in adolescents. METHODS: A total of 1,222 eligible adolescent participants (12-18-year-old) were divided into four groups as follows: aerobic exercise (AE), resistance exercise (RE), combined aerobic and resistance exercise (CE), and no exercise (NE). Daily PA was assessed using the international PA questionnaire. Blood samples were collected to measure lipid, glucose, and insulin levels. Additionally, the homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and triglyceride-glucose (TyG) indices were measured. Multivariate regression analysis was used to compare the metabolic risk factors across the PA groups before and after propensity score matching (PSM) adjustment for confounding variables. RESULTS: The CE group exhibited improved fasting glucose levels, lower TyG index, reduced white blood cell count, and higher high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels than the NE group. The RE group exhibited lower mean blood pressure, triglyceride, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, TyG index and a reduced risk of metabolic syndrome than the NE group. The AE group had higher total and HDL cholesterol levels. In detailed comparison of the AE and RE groups, the RE group consistently exhibited favorable metabolic parameters, including lower blood pressure and total and low-density cholesterol levels, which persisted after PSM. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the positive effects of PA on cardiovascular risk factors in adolescents. Thus, RE may have a more favorable metabolic effect than AE. Further studies are needed to validate the benefits of exercise according to the exercise type.