Abstract

The functional exercise circuit (FEC) is a new training method created to improve functionality in older people and its effects on metabolic biomarkers have not been investigated in this population. For this reason, the objective of this study was to compare the effect of FEC on metabolic risk factors in older people. It was a clinical study with 30 older adults from Londrina, Brazil (age=71±7 years old; women=77%; BMI=27.4 ± 3.9 Kg/m2). Peripheral venous blood was drawn from the antecubital vein after 10-hour overnight fasting. The levels of metabolic risk factor biomarkers, glucose, total cholesterol, high-density lipoproteins (HDL-C), low-density lipoproteins (LDL-C), triglycerides, and abdominal girth were analysed. The exercise program consisted of 35–45-min sessions on non-consecutive days, three times a week, for 12 weeks. There was a reduction in the levels of blood glucose (pre: 110.93 ± 20.59 mg / dl versus post: 102 ± 21.80 mg / dl; P <0.001), cholesterol (pre: 205.23 ± 49.60 mg / dl versus post: 187.90 ± 43.27 mg / dl; P = 0.001), LDL (pre: 120.66 ± 45 , 60 mg / dl versus post: 109 ± 39.29; P = 0.009), triglycerides (pre: 149.47 ± 86.02 mg / dl versus post: 123.13 ± 55.54 mg / dl; P = 0.003) and abdominal girth (pre: 96.65 ± 9.43 cm versus post: 95.15 ± 8.50 cm; P = 0.018).In conclusion, FEC has a positive effect on the reduction of metabolic risk factors in older people.