The effects of walking programs of two different intensities on leukocyte counts, plasma levels of Tumor necrosis factor-alpha and body composition in sedentary elderly women

In aged women, elevated levels of some proinflammatory markers are risk factors for the development of diseases. The present study investigated the effect of 12-week walking at two different intensities on inflammatory factors in elderly woman.

Thirty untrained elderly women (60—75 years) randomly divided into three groups. Moderate tempo walking group (MTWG, n=11), Brisk walking group (BWG, n=10), and the control group (CG, n=9). The MTWG, walked at 50—55% maximum heart rate reserve (HRRmax) and the BWG walked at %70-75 HRRmax. Both walking groups trained 12 weeks, 3 sessions per week, starting from 30 to 60 minutes and the CG remained untrained. Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), body composition, leukocyte counts (WBC) and plasma levels of Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), were measured before and after the study period. To analyze the data, oneway analysis of variance, Scheffe test and dependent t-test was used (P≤0.05).

VO2max, increased significantly in BWG. Body weights, percent body fat (p =0.000), body mass index (p = 0.003) significantly decreased, and percent muscle (p = 0.000) increased in both exercise groups. Percent visceral fat (p = 0.028) significantly decreased in BWG. Also, BWG showed a significant reduction in WBC counts compared to baseline levels (p = 0.004). There were no significant differences in the plasma levels of TNF-α between the groups.

The results showed that regular walking program can affect body composition in elderly women, however, it may not be effective in reducing systemic inflammatory markers.