Introduction: Aging is associated with a decrease in physical function and changes in the function and structure of the liver. The present study aimed to assess the effect of eight weeks of concurrent training with omega-3 supplementation on physical fitness indicators and liver enzymes in elderly women.
Materials and Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 48 women living in a nursing home in Neyshabur, Iran, were selected from among 90 cases by purposive non-random sampling. Then, they were randomly (lottery) assigned to four groups: placebo, supplement, training, and supplement+training. The concurrent training consisted of three 50-70-minute sessions per week for eight weeks. Subjects in the supplement group consumed 1 g/day of omega-3 capsules for eight weeks. The resistance and aerobic training programs included performing exercises with a two-kilogram medicine ball and rhythmic movements accompanied by music, respectively. After eight weeks of intervention, the covariance test and Welch’s ANOVA were used to compare the variables of body fat percentage, maximum oxygen consumption, upper and lower body strength, right and left hand grip strength, upper body explosive power, agility/dynamic balance, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine transaminase (ALT) among the four study groups. Bonferroni and Dunnett's T3 post hoc tests were also employed to compare the differences between pairs of groups.
Results: After eight weeks of intervention, a significant improvement in body fat percentage, maximum oxygen consumption, upper and lower body strength, right and left hand grip strength, upper body explosive power, agility/dynamic balance, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase was observed in the supplement+training and training groups (P<0.01). No significant difference was observed between the supplement+training and training groups except for the indicators of body fat percentage and upper body strength (P>0.05), and these two indicators improved more markedly in the supplement+training group than in the training group (P<0.01).
Conclusion: It seems that concurrent training alone or along with omega-3 supplementation can improve the health of elderly women. Furthermore, taking omega-3 supplementation alone can enhance physical fitness and liver enzymes in this group of people.