Author(s): KHAENGKHAN, C., MANIMMANAKORN, A., MANIMMANAKORN, N., SANG-ARTIT, W., HAMLIN, M.J., Institution: KHON KAEN UNIVERSITY, Country: THAILAND, Abstract-ID: 1001

INTRODUCTION:
Aging is associated with progressive changes and unavoidable processes characterized by functional, biochemical, and structural deterioration of the human body. Specifically, pulmonary function which is strongly related with morbidity and mortality, decreases with age . Importantly, regular exercise is well-recognized as at strategy for delaying the risk of age-associated diseases. However, a high proportion of the older population may not achieve sufficient exercise particularly at an intensity that is sufficient to result in positive adaptation. Therefore, this study aimed to find a more practical way of increasing exercise intensity by adding weighted vests to light exercise on the pulmonary function, triglyceride levels and physical performance in elderly participants.
METHODS:
This randomized controlled trial was conducted on 36 female participants aged 60 to 79 years. The participants were randomly assigned to either a control (CON; n=17 received 40-minute light aerobic exercise program 3 days per week for 8 weeks), or a weighted vest group (WV; n=19 completed the same exercise program with participants wearing a vest filled with sand equivalent to 5% (first 2 weeks) then 10% (last 6 weeks) of their body weight). Outcome variables including pulmonary function, physical performance and lipid profile were assessed before and after the 8 week experimental period.
RESULTS:
As a result of the training, the WV participants showed a significant increase in FEV1/FVC (3.51 ± 4.51 %, P = 0.012) and Vt (0.24 ± 0.28 L, P = 0.012), but these increases were not significant between groups. Compared to the CON group, the WV group showed significant increased in VE (CON; 0.82 ± 2.16, WV; 4.36 ± 2.31 L/min, P = 0.003) and MVV (CON; -6.59 ± 4.67, WV; 4.17 ± 5.54 L/min, P = 0.000). Only the WV showed significant reductions in triglyceride (-40.25 ± 47.95 mg/dL, P = 0.004) from baseline. While performance in the timed up and go test and the single leg to stand test increased in both groups, there was no significant difference between groups. However, compared to the CON group the WV group increased their performance in the 6-min walk test (CON; 4.77 ± 39.17, WV; 89.48 ± 68.90 m, P = 0.000).
CONCLUSION:
Using a combination of light exercise supplemented with a weighted vest may be a practical way of increasing exercise intensity sufficiently to improve pulmonary function, physical performance, and triglyceride levels in the elderly.