Abstract
Osteoarthritis of the knee (kOA) is a disease that mainly affects the elderly and can lead to major physical and functional limitations. However, the specific effects of walking, particularly on the immune system, are unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the effect of 12 weeks of walking (3×/week) on the leukocyte profile and quality of life (QL) of elderly women with kOA. Sixteen women (age: 67±4 years, body mass index: 28.07±4.16 kg/m2) participated in a walking program. The variables were assessed before and after 12 weeks of training with a progressively longer duration (30–55 min) and higher intensity (72–82% of HRmax determined using a graded incremental treadmill test). The QL was assessed using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), and blood samples were collected for analysis with a cell counter and the San Fac flow cytometer. Walking training resulted in a 47% enhancement of the self-reported QL (P<0.05) and a 21% increase in the VO2max (P<0.0001) in elderly women with kOA. Furthermore, there was a reduction in CD4+ cells (pre=46.59±7%, post=44.58±9%, P=0.0189) and a higher fluorescence intensity for CD18+CD4+ (pre=45.30±10, post=64.27±33, P=0.0256) and CD18+CD8+ (pre=64.2±27, post=85.02±35, P=0.0130). In conclusion, the walking program stimulated leukocyte production, which may be related to the immunomodulatory effect of exercise. Walking also led to improvements in the QL and physical performance in elderly women with kOA.
Highlights
Aging is an issue that demands increasing attention in the field of elderly care, in women with knee osteoarthritis [1,2]
The inflammatory changes associated with aging and knee osteoarthritis (kOA) play an important role in the protein catabolism of muscle fibers, resulting in sarcopenia and, functional changes that can be controlled by exercise [5]
The results of this study demonstrate that the proposed walking training increased aerobic performance, improved the self-rated quality of life and mobilized a distinct immune response in elderly women with kOA
Summary
Aging is an issue that demands increasing attention in the field of elderly care, in women with knee osteoarthritis (kOA) [1,2]. Previous studies indicate that the aging process is associated with an underlying chronic inflammatory state. This state is characterized by an approximately two- to four-fold increase in the plasma levels of inflammatory cytokines, as well as cell-specific activation and increased cell migration [3,4]. The mechanisms related to the increased production and release of cytokines, and the activation and migration of cells involved in the inflammatory process remain to be elucidated. The inflammatory changes associated with aging and kOA play an important role in the protein catabolism of muscle fibers, resulting in sarcopenia and, functional changes that can be controlled by exercise [5]
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