The effect of multicomponent training (aerobic, resistance and balance) on galectin-3, cardiovascular risk factors and psychological well-being in overweight elderly

The increase of galectin-3 and disturbance in the lipid profile are considered as risk factors for cardiac events in old age, and exercise has been proposed as a modulating solution to this situation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of multicomponent training elderly.

In this s Quasi -experimental study, 40 inactive overweight elderly men with an age range of 60 to 75 years were selected using a targeted and accessible sampling method and were randomly assigned to two training and control groups. Multicomponent training including aerobic (40 to 65% of maximum heart rate), resistance (5 to 8 pressure perception according to OMNI) and balance sections was performed for eight weeks (3 sessions per week).  Galectin-3 by ELISA method, lipid profile by enzymatic method and psychological well-being by Riff questionnaire were measured.  Data were measured using independent t-tests, analysis of covariance and Pearson correlation.

Eight weeks of multicomponent training caused a significant decrease in galectin-3 (P=0.01), TG (P=0.001), TC (P=0.01), LDL (P=0.001), WHR (P=0.01), fat percentage (P=0.01) and a significant increase in HDL (P=0.01) and psychological well-being (P=0.01). Also, there was a positive correlation between the psychological well-being score with HDL (P=0.01) and an inverse correlation with Galectin-3 (P=0.01) and LDL (P=0.03).

Multicomponent training seem to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and cognitive disorders in the elderly by improving body composition and reducing galectin-3, fibrinogen, and blood lipids.