Strength Training Decreases Inflammation and Increases Cognition and Physical Fitness in Older Women with Cognitive Impairment

Abstract

Introduction: Cognitive impairment that affects older adults is commonly associated with an inflammatory imbalance, resulting in decreased physical fitness. Exercise has been pointed to mitigate immunosenescence and cognitive impairment associated with aging, while increase in physical fitness. However, few studies explored the relationship between changes in cytokine concentration and improvement on cognition due to elastic band strength training. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of strength training on pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokines, hematological markers and physical fitness of older women with cognitive impairment.Methods: Thirty-three women (82.7 ± 5.7 years old) participated in the study and were divided in two groups: strength exercise training group (ST; n = 16) and Control Group (CG; n = 17) and were evaluated before and after 28 weeks of the exercise program. The CG did not undergo any type of exercise programs. Data for IL-10, TNF-α, IFN-γ, C-Reactive Protein (CRP), white blood counts (WBC), red blood counts (RBC), Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and physical fitness tests were analyzed in both moments.Results: IL-10 increased in the ST group without changes in CG. TNF-α and CRP increased in the control group while no changes were observed for IFN-γ in both groups. Strength training decreased leukocyte and lymphocyte counts and increase hemoglobin, mean cell volume and mean cell hemoglobin concentration. The MMSE score increased in strength training group but remained unchanged in the control group. A correlation between the variation of granulocyte counts and the MMSE scores was also observed within the total sample. An improvement in physical fitness was observed with strength training.Conclusion: Resistance exercise promoted better anti-inflammatory balance and physical performance simultaneously with an increase in cognitive profile in older women with cognitive impairment.

Exercise and taurine in inflammation, cognition, and peripheral markers of blood-brain barrier integrity in older women

“…In fact, previous data with elderly individuals showed that twenty-eight weeks of exercise intervention was more effective in increasing IL-10 levels rather than decreasing TNF-α levels (Chupel et al 2017). This effect may be mediated by an increase of production and release of anti-inflammatory cytokines by the repeated bouts of exercise from muscle (myokines), or reduced expression of Toll-like receptors in monocytes and macrophages (Gleeson et al 2011).…”

Handgrip strength, inflammatory markers, and mortality

“…Furthermore, male and female hormones modulate the immune system differently, thus resulting in differential age‐related pathologies . Therefore, muscle strength might be particularly important for women in regulating chronic inflammation …”

Influence of resistance training in quality of life, body composition, and physical performance of community-dwelling elderly women

“…The baseline levels of PF in the participants of this study are better than other investigations in elderly population (6,13) . There was a substantial influence of this type of exercise on strength, aerobic resistance, dynamic balance, and other parameters who contribute significantly to increase the physical autonomy of elderly population (29) .…”

“…There was a substantial influence of this type of exercise on strength, aerobic resistance, dynamic balance, and other parameters who contribute significantly to increase the physical autonomy of elderly population (29) . Other studies involving institutionalized elderly population showed that even exercise using elastic bands can increase PF significantly (13) . The same authors showed that even the maintenance of some PF parameters in elderly is a solid benefit in comparison who those that are sedentary and impair their physical condition over time.…”

“…Regarding locomotor aspects, it is recognized that the physical inactivity in aged people accelerates the sarcopenia (11) , which increase the importance to develop non-pharmacological therapies and practical strategies such as exercise to treat this condition. In this sense, there are a growing body of evidence showing that the resistance training (RT), is a powerful tool to minimize age-related loss of functions, such as functional capacity and muscle performance (12) , in immunity (13) , and cardiovascular system (14) . However, the magnitude of impact of the RT in QoL and their implication in physical fitness (PF) still need to be better understood in an elderly women population.…”