Influences of a community-based physical exercise class for elderly people on systemic health and neutrophil reactive oxygen species production

Several researchers have reported in these years that appropriate exercise can decrease oxidative stress, although its mechanism is still unknown. We examined in the present study the influence of 1-hour gymnastic exercise class once in a week for 6 months on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production capability of neutrophils which causes oxidative stress. Subjects were 29 adults who participated in exercise classes as a part of the Iwaki Health Promotion Project 2008. Body composition, blood parameters and ROS production capability before, after and exactly half way through the class. The results showed that body fat percentage, blood pressure and total cholesterol decreased, HDL-cholesterol increased significantly and that SOA decreased significantly immediately after the class. It was concluded that the current exercise class was effective for improving lifestyle-related parameters as well as for inhibiting oxidative stress mediated neutrophil ROS production.