Effects of Combined Physical Training on Lung Function and Mechanics and on Pulmonary Immune Response in Overweight and Obese Women

Abstract

Obesity and overweight impairs lung function and mechanics and immune response, but the impact of combined physical exercise (CPE) on that are unknown. We investigated the effects of 12 weeks of CPE [20min/session aerobic treadmill+40min/session resistance training (75% 1Max Rep)], 3x/week in eutrophic (n=12), overweight (n=17) and obese grade I (n=11) women. CPE improved FVC% (p<0.001) and PEF% (p<0.0003) in obese. CPE improved the resistance of respiratory system (R5Hz) in eutrophic (p<0.0099), overweight (p<0.0005) and obese (p<0.0001); the resistance of proximal airways (R20Hz) in eutrophic (p<0.01), overweight (p<0.0009) and obese (p<0.0001); the resistance of distal airways (R5Hz-R20Hz) in eutrophic (p<0.01), overweight (p<0.0012) and obese (p<0.0001); the reactance of respiratory system (X5Hz) in eutrophic (p<0.01), overweight (p<0.0006) and obese (p<0.0005); the impedance of respiratory system (Z5Hz) in eutrophic (p<0.0099), overweight (p<0.0005) and obese (p<0.0001); the central resistance (RCentral) in eutrophic (p<0.01), overweight (p<0.001) and obese (p<0.0003); and in the peripheral resistance (RPeripheral) in eutrophic (p<0.03), overweight (p<0.001) and obese (p<0.0002). CPE reduced the IGF-1 levels in BC in overweight (p<0.0094) and obese (p<0.0001), but increased Klotho levels in BC in obese (p<0.0001). CPE reduced the levels of exhaled nitric oxide in overweight (p<0.03) and obese (p<0.0001). CPE improves lung function, mechanics and pulmonary immune response in overweight and obese grade I women by increasing anti-fibrotic protein Klotho and reducing pro-fibrotic IGF-1.