Evaluation of a program of physical exercise on blood markers and sleep quality in elderly

Objective: Analyze the effects of a physical exercise program on blood markers and sleep quality in the elderly. Method: A total of 112 elderly people with metabolic diseases controlled by hypocholesterolemic and hypoglycemic medications participated in the study. The participants were divided into two groups, an exercise group composed of 54 individuals with a mean age of 62 years and control group of 58 individuals with a mean age of 63 years. Results: Blood glucose, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels showed a mean reduction of 27.47, 18.13, and 23.48 mg/dl, respectively, and an increase of 8.98 mg/dl in the high-density lipoprotein level was seen. A significant change was seen in the low-density lipoprotein, very-low-density lipoprotein, and calcium levels on comparing the exercise group post-test values with that of the control group pre-test. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score showed a significant reduction of 3.15 (p < 0.001, μp2=0.78) on comparing the exercise group with the control group. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the physical exercise program, consisting of supervised walking and gymnastics with localized quadriceps muscle strengthening exercises, performed for 16 weeks at a frequency of three times a week for 60 min, was effective in improving the low-density lipoprotein and very-low-density lipoprotein levels and sleep quality of the elderly.