Body composition, fitness level, anabolic hormones, and inflammatory cytokines in the elderly: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Elastic band exercise is considered as an effective and safe resistance type of exercise. However, there is a paucity of knowledge of the physiological effect of long-term elastic band exercise in the elderly. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a 12-week elastic band exercise program on body composition, physical fitness, anabolic hormones, and inflammatory cytokines in the elderly. The subjects (aged 65-82 years) were randomly assigned into the exercise group (n = 18) or the control group (n = 22). Elastic band exercise session was performed for 60 min, three times per week for 12 weeks, during which various types of resistance exercises were assigned to the exercise group using red-colored bands. Body composition was analyzed using the biolelectrical impedance measurement. Senior fitness test was adopted to determine the level of physical fitness. After 12 weeks of band exercise program, body composition and all fitness components of senior fitness test were significantly improved in the exercise group compared to the control group. In contrast, blood lipid profiles (TC, TG, and HDL), anabolic hormones (GH, IGF-1 and IGFBP-3), and inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and CRP) were not significantly changed in the exercise group compared to the control group. Our results showed that elastic band exercise did not appear to positively impact on blood lipids, anabolic hormones, and inflammatory cytokines, but significantly improved body composition and overall physical fitness level in the elderly.