Short-term high-intensity resistance training: A feasibility study on pulmonary, immune and physical-functional fitness benefits for older adults with metabolic syndrome

The incidence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) is rising rapidly, particularly among older adults, and is associated with comorbidities that impair respiratory and immune functions. Physical exercise has proven effective in mitigating the adverse effects of both aging and MetS. However, evidence on the impact of high-intensity resistance training (HIRT) on the respiratory and immune systems in older adults with MetS remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of HIRT on respiratory function, skeletal muscle strength, and immune modulation in older adults with MetS, highlighting its potential as a complementary therapeutic approach. A total of 43 older adults with MetS were enrolled and divided into two groups: a HIRT intervention group (n = 23; mean age 66.71 ± 4.98 years) and a non-exercising control group (n = 20; mean age 66.91 ± 5.26 years). The HIRT protocol involved twice-weekly sessions (10 total) over 5 weeks, performed at 80–90% of one-repetition maximum. Results showed that HIRT significantly improved lung mechanics (R5Hz, R20Hz, Z5Hz, X5Hz), peripheral muscle strength, and both maximal expiratory and inspiratory pressures. Furthermore, HIRT increased antiinflammatory and anti-fibrotic cytokines in sputum (klotho, IL-10, adiponectin) and serum (klotho, relaxin-1, relaxin-3, IL-10), while reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines in sputum (IL-6, TNF-α) and serum (IL-1ra, IL-6, TNF-α, leptin). A decrease in total leukocyte, neutrophil, lymphocyte, and monocyte counts was also observed. In conclusion, HIRT effectively mitigates the effects of MetS on respiratory, muscular, and immune functions in older adults and may be recommended as a complementary strategy for managing MetS in this population.

Description

Acknowledgements: This study was supported by Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP), grant #2012/15165-2 and by Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), grant #308434/2022-6. RMF holds a MSc fellowship from FAPESP (#2019/11008-9). MARBR holds a PhD fellowship from FAPESP (#2019/05739-0). The author G.E.F. thanks the National funding by FCT- Foundation for Science and Technology, P.I., through the institutional scientific employment program-contract CEECINST/00077/2021).

Keywords

Aging Immune system Lung mechanics Metabolic syndrome Resistance training

URI

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.11/10303

Citation

SANTOS, J.M.B. [et al.] (2025) - Short-term high-intensity resistance training: A feasibility study on pulmonary, immune and physical-functional fitness benefits for older adults with metabolic syndrome. European Journal of Applied Physiology. DOI: 10.1007/s00421-025-05920-0