Twelve Weeks of Combined Resistance and Aerobic Exercise Improves Cardiometabolic Biomarkers and Enhances Red Blood Cell Hemorheological Function in Obese Older Men: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

The present study examined the effect of a 12-week combined resistance and aerobic exercise training program on cardiometabolic biomarkers and red blood cell (RBC) hemorheological function in 20 obese older men (mean age: 68.8 ± 0.9 years). Subjects were randomly divided into two groups (exercise intervention [EXP; n = 10] and control [CON; n = 10]). The EXP subjects performed resistance and aerobic exercise training program three times per week for 12 weeks, and the CON subjects maintained their regular lifestyle during the intervention period. Body composition was estimated using bioelectrical impedance analysis equipment. Cardiometabolic biomarkers (glucose, insulin, homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), HOMA β-cell function, and leptin) and RBC hemorheological parameters (RBC deformability and aggregation) were analyzed. Percent body fat decreased significantly in the EXP group during the intervention period but increased significantly in the CON group. Insulin increased significantly in the CON group over the 12-week period and both insulin and HOMA-IR were significantly higher in the CON group than in the EXP group at post-test. RBC deformability (RBC EI_3Pa) and aggregation (RBC AI_3Pa) improved significantly only in the EXP group. The present study suggests that combined exercise training can be useful for improving cardiometabolic biomarkers and RBC hemorheological parameters in obese older men and may help prevent metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases.

Effects of Moderate Combined Resistance- and Aerobic-Exercise for 12 Weeks on Body Composition, Cardiometabolic Risk Factors, Blood Pressure, Arterial Stiffness, and Physical Functions, among Obese Older Men: A Pilot Study

“…While the exercise intervention group in the present study showed the tendency of increased fat-free mass after 12 weeks, the control group exhibited a considerable decrease in fat-free mass over the time point. This result was similar to previous studies in which resistance exercise alone and combined aerobic- and resistance-exercise significantly increased the fat mass more than aerobic exercise alone in overweight or obese adults [ 25 , 26 ].…”

Effects of an Acute Pilates Program under Hypoxic Conditions on Vascular Endothelial Function in Pilates Participants: A Randomized Crossover Trial

“…Muscle activation during submaximal exercise with the same relative exercise intensity under hypoxic conditions was higher than that under normoxic conditions [49], and increased muscle activation under hypoxic conditions is likely to increase NO production in the endothelium, and improve vasodilation and endothelial functions [48,50]. Consequently, exercise under hypoxic conditions might elicit upregulation of NO synthase and induce an additive effect on the secretion of various vasodilators (e.g., adenosine, prostaglandin, and NO) and vascular endothelial growth factor, resulting in an additive effect on the improvement of endothelium-dependent vasodilation, reduction of arterial stiffness, and microcirculation through improved hemorheological functions [13,15,[22][23][24][25]44].…”

“…Intermittent hypoxic exposure enhances endothelial-derived nitric oxide-mediated mechanisms that are primarily involved in the vasodilation of muscular arteries; as a result, it is frequently applied to lower the blood pressure of patients with hypertension [20,21]. In addition, exercise intervention under hypoxic conditions induces an additive effect on the secretion of various vasodilators (e.g., adenosine, prostaglandin, and nitric oxide [NO]) and vascular endothelial growth factor, which leads to an additive effect on the improvement of vasodilation, reduction of arterial stiffness, and microcirculation through improved hemorheological functions [13,15,[22][23][24][25].…”

Interval Hypoxic Training Enhances Athletic Performance and Does Not Adversely Affect Immune Function in Middle- and Long-Distance Runners

“…Enhancing these factors, which are related to endurance exercise performance, increases the efficiency of aerobic energy production and consequently enhances maximum oxygen uptake (VO 2 max). It also enhances athletic performance by improving time until fatigue and increasing exercise intensity [3][4][5][6]. In particular, endurance exercise performance is reported to be the most affected by hemodynamic function, which is an indicator of oxygen transport and utilization ability [7].…”