Abstract
IntroductionRegular exercise has long been shown to positively impact the immune system responsiveness and improve mental well-being (MWB). However, the putative links between biomarkers of mental health and immune efficiency in exercising subjects have been scarcely investigated. The aim of this study was to verify the effect of a 14-week combined chair-based exercise program (CEP) on salivary steroid hormones and anti-microbial proteins, functional fitness, and MWB indexes in pre-frail older women.MethodsThe participant women (82.8 4.6 years old; n = 32) were randomly divided into the exercising group (CEP, n = 17) and the non-exercising control group (CG, n = 15). The pre/post assessment included: (1) salivary anti-microbial proteins lysozyme; (Lys) and immunoglobulin-A (IgA); (2) salivary steroid hormones of testosterone (TT) and cortisol (COR); (3) functional fitness (gait speed, hand grip strength, and static balance); (4) MWB questionnaires (happiness, depression state, satisfaction with life, and stress).ResultsSignificant differences with large Cohen’s (d) effect sizes were found on increased salivary TT (p < 0.05; d = 0.60) after exercise intervention. The results revealed a decrease in IgA levels after CEP (p < 0.01, d = 0.30). The increase in subjective happiness levels (p < 0.05, d = 0.30) and decrease of stress perception (p < 0.01, d = 2.60) and depressive state (p < 0.05, d = 0.30) were found after intervention in the CEP group. Robust statistical differences in gait speed (p < 0.05; d = 0.60) and balance tests (p < 0.05; d = 0.80) were also found in the CEP group. In control, COR increased moderately (p < 0.05; d = 0.65) while no changes were found for the other indicators. Correlation analyses showed inter-dependence between pre–post variations of MWB, biochemical indexes, and fitness function (e.g., COR inverse correlation with hand grip strength and balance tests).ConclusionThe CEP program was able to improve functional-fitness performance, decrease feelings of stress, and increase happiness. The CEP also induced clinically relevant hormonal and immune responses, which suggests that chair exercises that combine muscular strength, balance, and gait speed training are promising interventions to improve physical and mental health of older pre-frail adults.
Highlights
Regular exercise has long been shown to positively impact the immune system responsiveness and improve mental well-being (MWB)
13 participants withdrew for several reasons in the follow-up phase and two participants were excluded by low exercise engagement
Our main findings indicate that the chair-based exercise program (CEP) was capable of improving performance in static balance and gait speed, decreasing feelings of stress, and increasing the state of happiness
Summary
Regular exercise has long been shown to positively impact the immune system responsiveness and improve mental well-being (MWB). The exposure to chronic stressors, and the hyperactivation of physiological stress systems, will increase heart rate and basal oxygen uptake, elevate COR, TT, and other steroid hormone levels (to induce endocrine imbalances) (Rhebergen et al, 2015), interfere in energy metabolism (with putative induction of metabolic disorders, such as obesity and related diabetes), hinder immune responses, and inhibit organism defensive systems (Baylis et al, 2013). These factors will contribute to accelerate biological aging, often associated with severe comorbidities and frailty (Révész et al, 2014)
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