Effects of Concurrent Training on Body Composition and Systemic Inflammatory Indices in Aged Men

Older persons are often affected by a low-grade proinflammatory state characterized by increased levels of cytokines and acute phase proteins. Previous studies indicate that different methods of exercise training have beneficial effects on the cytokine concentration. Hence, the present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of concurrent training on C-reactive protein (CRP) and fibrinogen levels in elderly men.
A total of 24 elderly men who volunteered to participate in the study were equally assigned to training and control groups. Participants in the training group performed 14 weeks of concurrent training. Then, at the beginning of the study and at 48–72 h after the last training session, blood samples were collected to measure CRP and fibrinogen levels. Moreover, at both times, body composition and anthropometric indices were measured. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance and Pearson's correlation coefficient tests.
After 14 weeks of concurrent training, the CRP and fibrinogen levels were significantly lower in the training group compared with those of the control group (P0.05). Moreover, a significant correlation was observed between the mean changes in CRP and fibrinogen levels and the body fat percent and other body composition indices (P The results of the current study indicated that concurrent exercise training is a suitable method for improving body composition and modulating the levels of cytokines predictive of cardiovascular disease in elderly men.