Effect of Moderate Aerobic Exercise on Body Composition, Biochemical Parameters and Oxidative Damage in Older Women Without and With Metabolic Syndrome

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of pathologies (obesity, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, hypertension) that affects over one quarter of old adults. MetS is a condition that markedly increases the susceptibility of various organs to dysfunctionality and is associated with the development of oxidative stress. The existing guidelines point out that exercise is highly advantageous for patients with MetS. However, there is a need for specific guidance and clinical evidence. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of a moderate aerobic exercise program on older women without and with MetS. Methods: A total of 120 women aged 60–70 years old were recruited and divided into two groups: healthy old women (HOW, N = 60) and old women with MetS (OW-MetS, N = 60). Anthropometric values, biochemical parameters and markers of oxidative damage were evaluated before and after moderate aerobic exercise. Exercise was performed five days per week for three months (64 sessions). Each exercise session consisted of 40 min and included the following: (a) five minutes of warm-up exercise; (b) ten minutes of flexibility exercise with resistance using own weight and coordination; (c) twenty minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (heart rate max between 60% and 70%); and (d) five minutes to cool down/stretching with respiratory techniques. Results: A significant decrease in anthropometric variables was generated by the exercise program waist circumference 4.35 cm (p < 0.05) in OW-MetS, body fat −1.55, −1.39% (p < 0.05) and muscle mass 0.8, 1.1% (p < 0.05) in HOW and OW-MetS, respectively. The exercise program resulted in beneficial changes in all biochemical parameters in both groups. Importantly, HOMA values showed a significant decline of −0.85 and −6.17 in HOW and OW-MetS, respectively. Furthermore, oxidative stress was present in the OW-MetS group, which was reduced by the exercise program, resulting in a decrease in protein damage formazan 45% and 42% in HOW and OW-MetS respectively and an increase in antioxidant defenses (thiol groups 36%, 99% and GPx 55%, 20% in HOW and OW-MetS, respectively). Conclusions: The data of this study show that moderate aerobic exercise may be potentially useful in treating and preventing MetS in older patients.