The Effect of an Eight-week Course of Combined Exercise Model on Serum Lactoferrin during Rest in Elderly Women

The Immune system usually weakens with age so it is important to strength this system by different mechanism including physical activity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of eight-week course of combined exercise model on serum lactoferrin during rest in elderly women.
In this semi-experimental study, 21 healthy elderly women aged 60-65 years were included and then were randomely divided into groups of exercise (n=12) and control (n=9). The exercise group received two training programs of endurance and strength for eight weeks, trice a week course. The endurance training performed on a cycle ergometer (intensity: 60-88 % MHR) and strength training involved selected upper and lower body workout (intensity: 40-75 1RM, 8-18 repeat). Serum lactoferrin concentrations were measured 24 hours before and 48 hours after the protocols of training by ELISA methods. Intra- and inter- group comparison was performed using dependent t-test for intra-group changes and independent t-test for inter-group differences.
The results showed that the serum lactoferrin level was significantly reduced in the experimental group (p≤0.05). Also, the eight- week exercise course led to weight loss, reducing the BMI and body fat percentage (p≤0.05).
The results showed that exercise may decrease the serum level of lactoferrin in elderly women.