Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
Center for Rehabilitative Medicine "Sport and Anatomy", University of Pisa, 56121 Pisa, Italy.
Medicina (Kaunas). 2022 Sep 23;58(10):1341. doi: 10.3390/medicina58101341.
Aging is a biological and irreversible process characterized by physiological alterations resulting in a progressive decline in biological functions, decreased resistance or adaptability to stress, and increased disease susceptibility. A decline in functional fitness, imbalance between pro- and antioxidant capacity, and/or hormonal dysregulation adversely impact physical capacity, emotional status, and overall quality of life, especially within the elderly population. On the other hand, regular physical activity is considered an effective strategy to prevent and reduce those changes associated with primary aging and concurrent chronic disease, while slowing age-related physical degeneration. However, there is still limited evidence-based information regarding both the intensity and interval of effective interventions on physical functioning in older adults. Thus, the aim of the study was to assess the effects of a 24-week regular multimodal exercise program on functional fitness, oxidative stress, salivary cortisol level, and self-perceived quality of life in a group of eighteen physically active elderly subjects (mean age 72.8 ± 7.5 years). A set of anthropometric and physical measurements (grip strength, chair sit to stand, sit and reach and back scratch) assessing the functional fitness performance were evaluated. Moreover, biochemical markers (derived-reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs) and the biological antioxidant potential (BAP) tests, and salivary cortisol levels) and the EuroQoL 5-Dimension 3-Level (EuroQoL 5-D 3-L) self-perceived questionnaire of quality of life were measured before and after the intervention program. All measurements were normally distributed as assessed by D'Agostino and Pearson's omnibus normality test. Student's -tests were used to evaluate the differences in all the parameters measured at baseline (T0) and after the 24-week physical program (T1). The results showed that an age-tailored structured intervention exercise program (1 h per session, twice per week, for 24 weeks) was effective in improving flexibility and other biomechanical parameters, such as muscle strength and the dynamic balance fitness component, which are key to performing daily tasks independently. Moreover, biochemical analyses demonstrate that the proposed intervention program has beneficial effects on the balance between plasma ROS production and their neutralization. The results confirm the benefits of regular physical activity in older adults resulting in improved physical strength and flexibility in the functional fitness parameters, and in regulating anti- and pro-oxidant activity and cortisol (stress hormone) levels.
衰老是一个生物性的、不可逆转的过程，其特征是生理变化，导致生物功能逐渐下降、对压力的抵抗力或适应性降低、疾病易感性增加。功能适应性下降、促氧化剂和抗氧化剂之间的平衡失衡以及/或激素失调会对身体能力、情绪状态和整体生活质量产生不利影响，尤其是在老年人群中。另一方面，定期进行身体活动被认为是预防和减少与原发性衰老和并发慢性疾病相关的变化的有效策略，同时减缓与年龄相关的身体退化。然而，关于老年人身体功能的有效干预的强度和间隔，仍然缺乏基于证据的信息。因此，本研究的目的是评估 24 周常规多模式运动方案对一组 18 名活跃老年人的功能适应性、氧化应激、唾液皮质醇水平和自我感知生活质量的影响（平均年龄 72.8±7.5 岁）。评估了一组身体测量（握力、坐站、坐立伸展和背部搔抓），以评估功能适应性表现。此外，还测量了生化标志物（衍生反应性氧代谢物（d-ROMs）和生物抗氧化潜力（BAP）测试以及唾液皮质醇水平）和自我感知生活质量的 EuroQoL 5 维度 3 级（EuroQoL 5-D 3-L）问卷。所有测量均通过 D'Agostino 和 Pearson 的整体正态性检验评估为正态分布。使用学生 t 检验评估基线（T0）和 24 周身体方案（T1）时所有参数的差异。结果表明，针对年龄的结构化干预运动方案（每次 1 小时，每周 2 次，持续 24 周）有效改善了灵活性和其他生物力学参数，如肌肉力量和动态平衡适应性成分，这些都是独立完成日常任务的关键。此外，生化分析表明，所提出的干预方案对血浆 ROS 产生和中和之间的平衡具有有益的影响。结果证实了定期进行身体活动对老年人的益处，可提高功能适应性参数中的身体力量和灵活性，并调节抗和促氧化剂活性以及皮质醇（应激激素）水平。
