Potential Impact Mechanism of Hypoxic Exercises for Metabolic Syndrome

The hypoxic exercise, combined the hypoxic condition in high-altitude environment and characteristics of regular exercises, presents a significant potential in improving metabolic diseases, but the research remains insufficient in terms of the optimal dosage, intervention mechanism and individualized plans. The existing literature review finds that hypoxic exercise can strengthen fat oxidation and glucose metabolism through activating the AMPK and HIF-1α signal passage, then effectively reduce weight and body fat rate and enhance insulin sensitivity, finally improve the general metabolic function. It is suggested that moderate intermittent hypoxic-hyperoxic training (IHHT) at oxygen volume concentrations of 15%, conducted for 4 to 12 weeks with 3 to 5 sessions per week, is an effective intervention for improving metabolic diseases in obesity patients. So far the effect and safety of hypoxic exercise on diabetes treatment has been initially proved, but the best intervention program has been in dispute, and the research on NAFLD and high blood-pressure is still on such issues as the mechanism, singular hypoxic exposure or exercise intervention, with the systematic treatment program to be fulfilled.