Introduction: Immune function declines with aging. Immune performance degradation against infectious diseases and other age-related diseases is very important. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of 8 week concurrent training on Serum Lactoferrin in elderly women.
Methodology: 21 healthy elderly women (age: 60.34±0.82, height: 155±0.01 cm, weight: 75.74±3.67 kg And BMI: 30.82±0.63) were randomly placed into two groups, concurrent training (n=12) and control (n=9) groups. Training program was done for eight weeks, 3 times per week. 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. In order to compare data within and between groups dependent t-test and independent t-test were used respectively.
Results: The data showed a significant decrease in Lactoferrin, body mass, BMI and body fat percentage following 8 week concurrent training (P≤0.05).
Discussion: Exercise, especially long-term strenuous activity causes temporary disruption of hormonal and immune cell according to data on the effect of stress on the body. 8 week concurrent training decrease Lactoferrin in elderly women. This data indicated that prolonged training lowers the secretion rate of a key protein of innate mucosal immunity, which might leave individuals at greater risk of contracting infection and negatively impacting training. These findings are consistent with results of Cheng et al. to reduce the level of Lactoferrin after a period of intense competition in practice and basketball consonants.