Background/Purpose To evaluate the effects of three different training methods on mucosal immune function in elderly women.
Method Elderly women were randomly assigned to either a resistance training group (RT; n = 30); a walking group (W; n = 30); an activities of daily living group (ADL; n = 30); or a control group (C; n= 30). The C group maintained normal levels of activity; the exercise groups completed 3 sessions of exercise per week for 24 weeks. The RT group completed 3 sets of 15, bilateral repetitions, of 10 different exercises; the W group walked 30 minutes, while the ADL group completed a battery of ADL's and flexibility exercises. Unstimulated saliva samples were collected for 4 min at baseline, week 13 and week 25. s IgA was measured and secretion rates were calculated. Subjects completed forms indicating symptoms of URTI each week. Each test was analyzed separately using a 4 (Groups: RT v. ADL v. W v. C) X 3 (Time: baseline v. mid v. post) ANOVA.
Analysis/Results There was a significant main effect of group and interaction on every measure. The exercise groups had significant increases relative to the controls at post and significant increases over their pre scores in s-IgA and the secretion rate of s-IgA. The W and RT groups had a significantly lower incidence of URTI than ADL or C.
Conclusions: All three methods of training were effective for increasing mucosal immune function in elderly women, but resistance training and walking was better for reducing URTI's.