Author(s):
Santos, Juliana de Melo Batista dos ; Furtado, Guilherme Eustáquio ; Correa, Eviton Sousa ; Rangel, Maysa Alves Rodrigues Brandao ; Junior, Manoel Carneiro Oliveira ; Cardoso, Katielle Rodrigues da Silva ; Souza, Mariana Alvarez de ; Rodrigues, Francisco ; Coelho, Patricia ; Oliveira, Luís Vicente Franco de ; Bachi, André Luís Lacerda ; Jorge, Luciana Malosa Sampaio ; Martins, Patrícia Sardinha Leonardo Lopes ; Albertini, Regiane ; Vieira, Rodolfo P.
Date: 2025
Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.11/10303
Origin: Repositório Científico do Instituto Politécnico de Castelo Branco
Subject(s): Aging; Immune system; Lung mechanics; Metabolic syndrome; Resistance training
Description
The incidence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) is rising rapidly, particularly among older adults, and is associated with comorbidities that impair respiratory and immune functions. Physical exercise has proven effective in mitigating the adverse effects of both aging and MetS. However, evidence on the impact of high-intensity resistance training (HIRT) on the respiratory and immune systems in older adults with MetS remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of HIRT on respiratory function, skeletal muscle strength, and immune modulation in older adults with MetS, highlighting its potential as a complementary therapeutic approach. A total of 43 older adults with MetS were enrolled and divided into two groups: a HIRT intervention group (n = 23; mean age 66.71 ± 4.98 years) and a non-exercising control group (n = 20; mean age 66.91 ± 5.26 years). The HIRT protocol involved twice-weekly sessions (10 total) over 5 weeks, performed at 80–90% of one-repetition maximum. Results showed that HIRT significantly improved lung mechanics (R5Hz, R20Hz, Z5Hz, X5Hz), peripheral muscle strength, and both maximal expiratory and inspiratory pressures. Furthermore, HIRT increased antiinflammatory and anti-fibrotic cytokines in sputum (klotho, IL-10, adiponectin) and serum (klotho, relaxin-1, relaxin-3, IL-10), while reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines in sputum (IL-6, TNF-α) and serum (IL-1ra, IL-6, TNF-α, leptin). A decrease in total leukocyte, neutrophil, lymphocyte, and monocyte counts was also observed. In conclusion, HIRT effectively mitigates the effects of MetS on respiratory, muscular, and immune functions in older adults and may be recommended as a complementary strategy for managing MetS in this population.
