Changes of stress proteins and oxidative stress indices with progressive exercise training in elderly men

Excessive generation of free radicals and oxidative stress play an important role in acceleration of the aging process and contribute many chronic diseases. Nevertheless, it has been shown that the elderly who are physically active benefit from exercise-induced adaptation in cellular antioxidant defense systems and associated increase in the generation heat shocks proteins (HSPs). Therefore, the aim of the present research was to investigate the effects of 14 weeks participation in concurrent (resistance and aerobic) training on indices of oxidative stress and HSP70 concentration in inactive elderly men. Twenty-four inactive elderly men voluntarily participated in this research and were assigned to either training (n=12) or control (n=12) groups. In the control group, participants were advised to maintain their normal lifestyle during the study, while the training group was prescribed a combination of resistance and aerobic training for 14 weeks. At baseline and after 14 weeks, venous blood samples were obtained for measurement of malondialdehyde (MDA) and carbonyl protein (PC), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and HSP70 concentration. The results indicate very significant effects of exercise training on all measured experimental variables when compared to the control group: MDA and PC concentrations decreasing, whilst HSP70 and TAC in aged men were increased significantly after exercise training in training group (all P