Regular Practice of Moderate Physical Activity by Older Adults Ameliorates Their Anti-Inflammatory Status.

David Mateos,Miguel Ferrer,Antoni Sureda,Antoni Pons,Josep Tur,Miquel Martorell,Carla Busquets-Cortés,Sandra Carreres,Cristina Bouzas,Xavier Capó

doi:10.3390/nu10111780

Abstract

A chronic inflammatory state is a major characteristic of the aging process, and physical activity is proposed as a key component for healthy aging. Our aim was to evaluate the body composition, hypertension, lipid profile, and inflammatory status of older adults, and these factors’ association with physical activity. A total of 116 elderly volunteers were categorized into terciles of quantitative metabolic equivalents of task (MET). Subjects in the first and third terciles were defined as sedentary and active subjects, respectively. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters, hemograms, and inflammatory markers were measured in plasma or peripheral mononuclear blood cells (PBMCs). The active groups exercised more than their sedentary counterparts. The practice of physical activity was accompanied by lower weight, fat mass, body mass index, and diastolic blood pressure when compared to a more sedentary life-style. Physical activity also lowered the haematocrit and total leukocyte, neutrophil, and lymphocyte counts. The practice of exercise induced a decrease in the IL-6 circulating levels and the TLR2 protein levels in PBMCs, while the expression of the anti-inflammatory IL-10 was activated in active subjects. The regular practice of physical activity exerts beneficial effects on body composition and the anti-inflammatory status of old people.

Highlights

Ageing is an unavoidable process in all animals and is characterized by progressive accumulation of cell and organ damage, which result in organism malfunction
The active groups exercised more than their sedentary counterparts, as evidenced by the significantly higher degree of physical activity measured in metabolic equivalents of task (MET)-hours/week
No differences in the degree of physical activity performed were evidenced between males and females

Summary

Introduction

Ageing is an unavoidable process in all animals and is characterized by progressive accumulation of cell and organ damage, which result in organism malfunction. Ageing has an unavoidable and intrinsic component, it is importantly modulated by several external factors, such as exposure to chemicals, lifestyle, or nutrition [2]. Nutrients 2018, 10, 1780 part, counteracted by the combination of adequate nutritional intake and a healthy lifestyle, the latter including the regular practice of physical activity [3]. Physical inactivity causes 6–10% of the burden of several diseases (including coronary heart disease, diabetes, and cancer) and 9% of premature mortality [6]. Regular physical activity prescription for healthy ageing is a key point for chronic disease management and prevention [4,7]

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