Effects of Moderate Intensity Exercise on Glutathione Peroxidase Activity and VO2max in Elderly Women

BACKGROUND: Sedentary lifestyle in the elderly decreases the function of cardiovascular system may lead reduction performance. Many previous studies reported that moderate intensity aerobic exercise was recommended for older persons because it may increases reactive oxygen species (ROS) at optimum level. The increasing of ROS can activate antioxidant mechanism against oxidatif stress due to exercise. AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the change of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity and VO2max on moderate intensity aerobic exercise and its correlation. METHODS: The study design was quasi-experimental. Subjects were sedentary elderly women age 65 ± 5.06 years old. Total subject was 73 persons selected by consecutive sampling. Subjects did moderate intensity aerobic exercise for 12 weeks by walking for 30 min a day, 3 times a week at 50–85% of maximum heart rate. The parameters were measured on the baseline and 12 weeks after exercise. GPx activity from the plasma was examined by ELISA and the VO2max was measured by 6-min walking distance. The data were analyzed by unpaired t-test and Spearman test. RESULTS: GPx activity and VO2max were significantly increased about 41.75% and 24.11% (p < 0.05) on the experimental group, respectively. There was a correlation between GPx activity and VO2max (r = 0.223, p = 0.041). CONCLUSION: Regular moderate intensity aerobic exercise significantly increased GPx activity and VO2max. This kind of exercise is advised for the elderly because it can elevate antioxidant level as a defense against oxidative stress due to aging; therefore, it can improve aerobic capacity in the elderly.