Background: Immunosenescence is related to the deterioration of many immune functions, which may be manifested in increased susceptibility to infection, cancer, and autoimmunity. Lifestyle factors, such as diet or physical activity, may influence the senescence of the immune system. It is widely accepted that moderate physical activity may cause beneficial effects for physical and psychological health as well as for the immune system activity in aged people.

Kratak sadr`aj: Cilj studije bio je da se odredi antioksidantni kapacitet u krvi kod mu{karaca i `ena u odnosu na njihovu starost. Ispitano je 19 mu{karaca (YM) i 19 `ena (YW) starosti 25-32 godine, kao i 11 mu{karaca (OM) i 11 ena (OW) starosti 63-71 godine, koji su svi bili neaktivni. Odre|eni su slede}i faktori: aktivnost superoksid dismutaze (SOD), glutation-reduktaze (GR), glutation-peroksidaze (GPX), katalaze (CAT), ukupni antioksidantni status (TAS) u eritrocitima, kao i retinol, alfa-tokoferol, mokra}na kiseli na i ukupne koncentracije proteina u plazmi. Izra~unat je zbir standardizovanih aktivnosti antioksidantnih enzima ka ko bi se uporedile promene u ukupnom kapacitetu anti oksi dantne odbrane u eritrocitima vezane za starosno doba. Nisu uo~e -ne zna~ajne promene vezane za starosno doba u aktivnosti SOD; srednja aktivnost CAT bila je vi{a kod starijih `ena i mu{karaca nego kod mla|ih ispitanika. Srednja aktivnost GPX bila je vi{a a aktivnost GR ni`a kod starijih ispitanika u pore|enju s mla|ima. Izra ~u nati ukupni antioksidantni enzimski kapacitet u eritrocitima dao je sli~ne vrednosti kod mla|ih i kod starijih ispitanika. Nisu uo~ene zna~ajne razlike u koncentracijama retinola i alfa-tokoferola u plazmi u odnosu na pol ili starosno doba. Ukupni nivo proteina u plazmi bio je zna~ajno ni`i kod mladih `ena i mu{karaca u pore|enju sa starijim ispitani cima. Zaklju~eno je da se ukupni enzimski antio ksidantni kapacitet u eritrocitima ne menja s godinama. Dobijeni rezultati jasno pokazuju da u procesu starenja u~estvuje vi{e faktora.

A b s t r a c tBackground: Cardiovascular (CV) diseases are a major cause of death in elderly women. Aerobic training improves component CV risk factors. Long-term, higher-intensity, group-based and home-based exercise training has been shown to improve exercise performance. However, it is not clear if short-term, group-based or home-based training with an educational programme permanently improves cardiometabolic parameters in elderly women. Aim:The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of organised physical activity programmes dedicated to elderly, sedentary women.Methods: Thirty-five sedentary women, aged > 55 years (mean 65.4 ± 7.3 years) were enrolled in a two-week group-based physical training programme of moderate intensity (2.5-5.0 METs) followed by three months of organised, home-based physical activity targeting all major muscle groups with special emphasis on postural muscles, combined with an educational programme about physical activity and CV risk. Eighteen months of self-guided physical activity was the final stage of training. Medical examination and blood samples were collected at baseline and after each step of exercises.Results: Each step of training resulted in a reduction of systolic and diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.05), body mass index (p < 0.05), waist to hip ratio (p < 0.02), and low-density lipoprotein (p < 0.05) as compared to baseline. The time of exercise (p < 0.01), maximal tolerated load, and maximal oxygen consumption (p < 0.001) were significantly improved after two-weeks of training, as well as the high-density lipoprotein (p < 0.001). These changes remained significant after three months. Finally, the 10-year risk of fatal CV disease reduced significantly (p < 0.05). After 18 months 2/3 of subjects continued physical activity at a sufficient level to achieve additional health benefits according to the World Health Organisation.Conclusions: Organised, group-based exercise followed by home-based training and self-guided physical activities constantly improves cardiometabolic parameters and reduces CV risk.

Introduction. The aim of the study was to determine the quality of life of students of a University of the Third Age (U3A) and examine its correlations with demographic variables, physical fitness, perception ability, and emotional well-being. Material and methods. The study involved 116 women aged 50 to 88 years who participated in U3A classes held at the University of Physical Education in Warsaw. Quality of life was assessed using an abridged version of the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire. Additionally the Fullerton Functional Fitness Test, a dynamometer hand grip strength test, and Romberg's test were performed. The Attention and Perceptiveness Test (version 6/9) by Ciechanowicz and Stańczak, the UMACL Mood Adjective Checklist by Matthews, Chamberlain, and Jones, as well as the Geriatric Depression Scale by Yesavage were also used. Finally, data concerning age, marital status, economic status, chronic diseases, and medication use was collected with a specially designed questionnaire. Results. The U3A students who took part in the study perceived their quality of life as relatively high. The domain of quality of life which was found to be the most strongly correlated with demographic variables was the psychological health domain: scores in this domain decreased with the subjects' age and increased with their level of education and economic status. Health satisfaction was directly proportional to economic status and inversely proportional to the level of education. Depression scores correlated significantly negatively with quality of life scores in all domains, the overall perception of quality of life, and health satisfaction, as well as predicting quality of life in the domains of psychological health and the environment. The predictors of the subjects' perceived quality of life were the following: lower body strength, agility, flexibility, and aerobic endurance. Conclusions. The findings of the study confirm that demographic variables (age, education, and economic status), depression and mood, as well as physical fitness are important predictors of quality of life in women in late adulthood.

Introduction: Quality of life is identified as a key element in healthy ageing. A decrease in physical activity and fitness levels as well as fear or depression increase the frequency of hospitalisation and mortality rate among elderly persons. Moreover, these factors significantly reduce the quality of life. The aim of the study was to determine changes in elderly women's perception of their quality of life that occurred over a period of 3 months of attending regular classes. In addition, the study sought to identify factors that would make it possible to predict these changes. Material and methods: The study included 56 women aged 58 to 85 (M=69.54; SD=6.578). Their quality of life was assessed with an abbreviated version of WHOQOL-Bref questionnaire. Severity of depressive symptoms was examined with the use of the Geriatric Depression Scale (a 15-item version). In order to determine physical fitness levels, FFF Test was carried out. Results: The examined group manifested changes in the depression indicator, i.e. its levels decreased significantly. A considerable increase in self-rated health was observed. There occurred a significant increase in the women's perception of their quality of life in social and environmental domains. No significant changes in the quality of life were noted in physical and psychological domains as well as in overall satisfaction with the quality of life. Conclusions: The findings suggest that attending classes at the UTA may produce benefits in the field of psychological health and life quality, and their scope may depend on the initial state of physical health and physical fitness.

The main aim of this study was to determine health benefits among women older than 55 years who participated in organized, group-based physical activity (OPA). Thirty-five women aged 65.0 ± 7.3 years volunteered for this study. The classical and nonclassical cardiovascular (CVD) risk factors were measured before and after a 2-week OPA camp in a remote location and 3 months of OPA. Self-guided physical activity was analyzed 18 months after OPA. Two-week effects included significant decreases in body mass index, waist and hip circumferences, resting systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) and resting heart rate, improved exercise capacity (EC), improved low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C), cholesterol, and other atherogenic lipid indices (ALI), and a reduction in 10-year estimated risk of death from CVD. Three-month effects included a further decrease in systolic BP, improvements in EC and HDL-C, and maintenance of lower levels of ALI, as well as lower CVD risk. The implementation of the OPA programme had a positive impact on somatic features, exercise capacity, biochemical indices, and risk for death from CVD. The presented programme can be regarded as an effective element of primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases among women older than 55 years.

BackgroundRehabilitation tailored to older adults’ needs might improve their functional performance and quality of life, as well as increase social participation. The aim of the study was to evaluate the use of medical rehabilitation services among older Poles in relation to socio-economic and health-related determinants.Materials and methodsData regarding medical rehabilitation were obtained from the nationwide, multidisciplinary PolSenior project (2007–2012) conducted on representative sample of 4813 respondents (48.3% women) aged 65+ years. Socio-economic status, physical functioning, falls, chronic pain, and formal disability occurrence, as well as self-rated health were accounted for.ResultsOne in six respondents (18.9% women vs. 15.8% men, p < 0.005) underwent medical rehabilitation during 12 months prior to the survey. Respondents mostly received electrotherapy or light radiation therapy (61.3%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that women aged 80+ years and men aged 90+ years had a significantly lower chance of using rehabilitation services compared to the youngest study participants (65–69 y.o.). City dwellers used rehabilitation services nearly twice as frequently as rural dwellers. Respondents with university education level were most likely to take part in these services. Dependence in IADL decreased participation in medical rehabilitation, while formal disability and chronic pain promoted utilization of rehabilitation services.ConclusionsYounger age, city dwelling, higher education, functional independence, formal disability certificate, and chronic pain increased participation in medical rehabilitation. Such results of the study should be considered in planning actions towards reducing health inequalities at the national level and promoting health and well-being among older adults.

BackgroundThe aim of the study was to determine the speed and failures of perception and attention among female students of the University of the Third Age (U3A) and their links with physical fitness and mood. Material/MethodsThe study involved 114 women aged between 50 and 88 years old (M = 68.17) participating in U3A lectures at the University of Physical Education in Warsaw. Perception ability was investigated using Ciechanowicz and Stańczak's Attention and Perception Test. Physical fitness was assessed with the Fullerton Fitness Test and the Romberg manoeuvre to evaluate the ability to maintain balance. The participants were also assessed with the Matthews, Chamberlain and Jones UWIST Mood Adjective Checklist (UMACL) and the Yesavage Geriatric Depression Scale. ResultsCompared with standard values for adults, the subjects had average failure of perception, slightly slower perception speed and lower failures of attention. The perception speed was negatively correlated with the age and the education level, and positively correlated with static balance and lower body strength. Perception failures were positively correlated with age and negatively with the education level and energy levels at the time of the study. No significant correlation was found between attention and age and the education level, physical fitness and mood at the time of the study; none of the indicators of perception ability were correlated with mood and depression indicators during the previous two weeks. ConclusionsRegular physical exercise in elderly people can be used to maintain physical fitness and perception ability.