AUTHOR=Zhong Fei , Xu Yongjin , Lai Hsin-Yi , Yang Min , Cheng Lei , Liu Xinger , Sun Xiaomin , Yang Yi , Wang Jian , Lv Wen , Huang Cong 

TITLE=Effects of combined aerobic and resistance training on gut microbiota and cardiovascular risk factors in physically active elderly women: A randomized controlled trial

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Physiology

VOLUME=13

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2022.1004863

DOI=10.3389/fphys.2022.1004863

ISSN=1664-042X

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Background:</bold> Exercise can modulate gut microbiota and lower the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the association between exercise-induced changes in gut microbiota and CVD risk have not been investigated.</p><p><bold>Objective:</bold> This study determined the effects of exercise training on CVD risk and gut microbiota in physically active elderly women and whether exercise-induced gut microbiota changes were associated with CVD risk.</p><p><bold>Methods:</bold> An 8-week randomized controlled trial was conducted with 14 elderly women assigned to exercise group (<italic>n</italic> = 8) or control group (<italic>n</italic> = 6). Physical function, sarcopenic obesity, and metabolic syndrome were evaluated as components of CVD risk. Gut microbiota composition was determined using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to examine intra-group and inter-group differences.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> A significant group × time interaction was observed for chair sit-and-reach (F = 8.262, <italic>p</italic> = 0.014), single-leg standing with eyes closed (F = 7.340, <italic>p</italic> = 0.019), waist circumference (F = 6.254, <italic>p</italic> = 0.028), and body fat mass (F = 12.263, <italic>p</italic> = 0.004), for which the exercise group showed improved trends. The exercise group exhibited significant improvements in skeletal muscle mass (<italic>p</italic> = 0.041) and fasting blood glucose (<italic>p</italic> = 0.017). Regarding gut microbiota, a significant interaction was observed for the class Betaproteobacteria (F = 6.822, <italic>p</italic> = 0.023) and genus <italic>Holdemania</italic> (F = 4.852, <italic>p</italic> = 0.048).</p><p><bold>Conclusion:</bold> The 8-week exercise training improved physical function, lowered CVD risk, and modulated relative abundance of gut microbiota associated with CVD in physically active elderly women.</p>