Affiliations: Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, and
School of Physiotherapy, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain | Department of Research, Development & Quality
Control, Grupo Leche Pascual, Aranda de Duero, Burgos, Spain
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Professor Rafael Jiménez, Ph
D., Dpto. Physiology & Pharmacology, Edif. Departamental, Campus M.
Unamuno, Salamanca, E-37007, Spain. Tel.: +34 923 294 672; Fax: +34 923 294
669; E-mail: rajim@usal.es
Abstract: Free radicals and oxidative stress are involved in the pathogenic
mechanisms of cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes and cancer. Exercise is a
useful strategy for preventing CVD but in elderly persons it can enhance
oxidative stress, which is why some studies recommend antioxidant
supplementation for exercising elderly subjects. This intervention study was
performed on 320 elderly subjects following a Geriatric Revitalization Program
(GEREPRO) to maintain physical health and reduce CVD risk. GEREPRO was based on
regular exercise concurrent with a nutritional antioxidant treatment based on
daily intake of a functional antioxidant food, Biofrutas™. Sustained
exercise (10 months, 3 sessions/week) significantly increased cardiorespiratory
fitness and plasma HDL-cholesterol; it reduced some predictors of
cardiovascular risk (arterial pressure, LDL-cholesterol, total
cholesterol/LDL-C, LDL-C/HDL-C), but significantly enhanced some biomarkers of
oxidative stress. Concurrent antioxidant supplementation did not produce any
ergogenic effects but, meaningfully, enhanced some positive effects of exercise
on physical health and the CDV risk index, and it totally prevented the
exercise-induced oxidative stress. Our results show that regular and moderate
exercise improves cardiorespiratory function and reduces CVD risk in elderly
people, while concurrent antioxidant supplementation modulates oxidative insult
during exercise in the elderly and enhances the beneficial effects of
exercise.
