Physical Activity and Its Association with Cardiometabolic Profile in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Saturday, October 11, 2025

4:42 PM - 4:48 PM EDT

Location: 136

Disclosure(s):

Li-Ang Lee, MD, PhD:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Introduction: This study aimed to examine the relationships between physical activity (PA), cardiometabolic profiles, and body composition in adult patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), with and without metabolic syndrome (MetS).

Methods: Between September 2021 and August 2023, we conducted a prospective case series at a Taiwanese tertiary medical center, enrolling 44 adult OSA patients. Each participant underwent anthropometric measurements, polysomnography, PA evaluation (via the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Long Form), one-week heart rate variability (HRV) monitoring (using a wearable electrocardiographic patch), fasting blood tests for lipids, glucose, insulin, and insulin resistance (IR), and body composition analysis via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.

Results: Among the 44 participants, 20 (46%) had OSA with MetS, and 24 (54%) had OSA without MetS. Compared to those with OSA alone, patients with MetS had higher BMI, waist circumference, 3% oxygen desaturation index (ODI3), triglycerides, total body fat percentage (TBF%), and fat mass, but lower mean SpO2, weekend R-R interval, sleep weekday R-R interval, and HDL-C (all p < .05). Weekly metabolic equivalent of task-minutes positively correlated with mean SpO2 and HF power during weekend sleep and inversely with insulin levels, IR, triglycerides, TBF%, fat mass, and LF/HF ratio during both sleep and wakefulness (all p < .05). Walking, rather than moderate or vigorous PA, was positively associated with mean SpO2, weekend awake R-R interval, and HDL-C, and inversely with neck circumference, AHI, ODI3, insulin levels, IR, total cholesterol, LDL-C, and android-to-gynoid fat ratio (all p < .05).

Conclusions: Obesity, hypoxemia, and increased heart rate were significantly associated with MetS in patients with OSA. PA, particularly walking, may improve blood oxygenation, cardiometabolic health, and body composition in this population. Further studies are warranted to confirm these findings and explore potential interventions.

Presenting Author(s)

Li-Ang Lee, MD, PhD

Professor, Departments of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Sleep Center
Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
Taoyuan City, Taoyuan, Taiwan (Republic of China)

Disclosure(s):
faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Senior Author(s)

Li-Ang Lee, MD, PhD

Professor, Departments of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Sleep Center
Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
Taoyuan City, Taoyuan, Taiwan (Republic of China)

Disclosure(s):
faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Co-Author(s)

HL

Hsueh-Yu Li, MD

Professor
Linkou-Chang Gung Memorial Hospital
Taoyuan City, Taoyuan, Taiwan (Republic of China)

Disclosure information not submitted.
LC

Li-Pang Chuang, MD, PhD

Associate Professor, Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine
Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.
HC

Hai-Hua Chuang, MD

Associate Professor, Departments of Family Medicine
Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei and Linkou Branches, and Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan, Taipei, Taiwan (Republic of China)

Disclosure information not submitted.