Treadmill Exercise in Metabolic Syndrome

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Referred by healthcare provider and given medical clearance for moderate-intensity exercise

2. Metabolic syndrome, defined as meeting three or more of the following criteria:

   • Obesity or overweight defined as BMI > 25
   • Impaired glycemia (fasting blood sugar of ≥ 100 [5.6 mmol/L] or glycated hemoglobin [A1C] of ≥ 5.7)
   • Increased blood pressure (130/85 mmHg or higher) or if you take medicine for high blood pressure
   • Increased fasting levels of triglycerides (≥ 150 or 1.7 mmol/L) or decreased fasting high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (less than 40 mg/dL or 1 mmol/L for men or 50 mg/dL or 1.3 mmol/L for women) or if you take any medicines for dyslipidemia
3. Between the ages of 18-65
4. No regular physical activity (≥ 3 or more days per week) for the past 3 months

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Contraindications for treadmill exercise determined by their physician (e.g., cardiopulmonary limitations or diagnoses) or other inability to do treadmill exercise (e.g., musculoskeletal restrictions or severe balance impairment)
2. Confirmed diagnosis of coronary artery disease
3. Confirmed diagnosis of diabetes
4. Currently taking a beta blocker or calcium channel blocker medication
5. Uncontrolled and untreated hypertension, defined as a resting blood pressure of 150/90
6. Confirmed diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or other severe lung dysfunction that may interfere with exercise (e.g., severe asthma)
7. Self-reported psychotic disorder
8. Current practice of mindfulness mediation or mindful movement (e.g., yoga or tai chi), defined as regular daily practice or >2 classes or self-guided sessions per week in the past three months.
9. Non-English speaking