Plain language summary
Regular physical activity is an important factor for health. This study evaluated physiological and biochemical changes induced by a 12 week regular exercise programme in healthy middle-aged women. 15 healthy women aged 42-47 participated in this programme which consisted of three 45 minutes high and low impact aerobics classes for 12 weeks. Body composition and biochemical markers were determined at baseline and after 12 weeks. The investigators observed a significant increase in lean body mass, and a decrease in total weight and fat mass. Biochemical markers showed decreased inflammation, increased antioxidant status and an improvement in lipid profiles (these had been within normal range at baseline). The authors also determined vitamin D status of the participants. Vitamin D levels were within normal range at baseline and did not change during the duration of the study. Higher vitamin D levels were correlated with better antioxidant status. The authors conclude that regular aerobic exercise had beneficial effects on body composition, antioxidant status, inflammatory markers and lipid profiles. The main limitation of this study was a lack of control group.
Abstract
Regular moderate physical activity positively affects health, fitness, and body composition; it regulates the pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines levels. Vitamin D plays an important regulatory role; its adequate levels correlate with low values of inflammation markers and an increase in muscle strength and fitness in exercising people. The study's aim was to evaluate changes in somatic variables, oxidative stress, and inflammation markers, as well as blood calcidiol concentration in middle-aged healthy women after 12 weeks of aerobics classes-endurance exercises, including choreographic sequences, aiming to improve fitness and motor coordination. The training led to a significant reduction of body mass and fat tissue; it induced an increase in lean body mass. After the 12-week training program, plasma antioxidant status increased (0.65 ± 0.21, p < 0.01) and the concentration of lipid peroxidation products decreased (0.07 ± 0.02, p < 0.001). A significant increase in plasma antioxidant status associated with training could have reduced the level of proinflammatory interleukin as indicated by a positive correlation between these variables (rs = 0.64, p < 0.05). The study proved that a 12-week health training program in physically inactive middle-aged women might provide improvements in their anthropometric parameters and selected biochemical indicators.
Methodological quality
Jadad score
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0
Allocation concealment
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No
