Resistance training lowers exercise-induced oxidative stress and homocysteine levels in overweight and obese older adults.
OBJECTIVE
To compare exercise-induced oxidative stress and levels of homocysteine and cholesterol in normal-weight and overweight older adults after resistance exercise (RX).


METHODS
This interventional study was conducted at a wellness center. Forty-nine older adults (age range, 60 to 72 years) were stratified by BMI (<25 kg/m(2) normal weight, > or =25 kg/m(2) overweight/obese) and then randomly assigned to either a control non-exercise group or an RX group. The RX group completed a 6-month training program. Exercise-induced lipid hydroperoxides (PEROXs) and thiobarbituric-reactive acid substances, homocysteine, lipoprotein a, cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were measured before and after the 6-month RX program.


RESULTS
PEROXs and thiobarbituric-reactive acid substances were lower in both the overweight/obese and normal-weight RX-trained groups compared with control groups (p < 0.05). Homocysteine levels were lower in both overweight/obese and normal-weight RX groups compared with control groups (p < 0.05). Lipoprotein a, total cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were not different in normal-weight and overweight/obese groups before or after RX. The change in muscle strength was correlated with homocysteine at 6 months (r = -0.452, p < 0.05), whereas the change in PEROXs was correlated with the change in body fat (r = -0.329).


CONCLUSIONS
To our knowledge, these data are the first to show that RX reduces exercise-induced oxidative stress and homocysteine regardless of adiposity, indicating that this protection can be afforded in an older, overweight/obese population as effectively as in healthy older adults. These data suggest that RX may afford some protection against emerging cardiovascular risk factors using a mode of exercise that supports body weight.
Vincent
Heather K
HK
Center for the Study of Complementary and Alternative Therapies, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA, USA. hvincent@adelphia.net
Bourguignon
Cheryl
C
Vincent
Kevin R
KR
D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D017270:Lipoprotein(a) / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood*; D050177:Overweight; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / Q000032:analysis; D014891:Weight Lifting / Q000502:physiology*
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D017270:Lipoprotein(a); D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; D006710:Homocysteine; D002784:Cholesterol