EXERCISE ON INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH FACTOR-1 (IGF-1) IN ELDERLY

To evaluate the effect of an aquatic physical exercise program on serum levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in older adults. Method: The design of the research was quasi-experimental, with non-probabilistic sampling for convenience, involving 49 older adults, who were randomly divided into 18 males (age 66.4 +/- 6.1 years) in an experimental group (n=10) and a control group (n=8) and 31 female subjects (age 65.4 +/- 5.7 years) in an experimental group (n=17) and a control group (n=14). The serum levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), were determined through chemiluminescence using the Kit (Immulite 1000 (R)). The aquatic physical exercise program was performed by 4 months, with sessions 5 times a week, with a duration of 50 minutes per session, according with the standards and recommendations of fiscal exercise and physical activity for the older adult proposed by the American College of Sports Medicine and the guides and standards for the aquatic fitness program of the aquatic exercise association. Results: The 2x2 mixed analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests showed doubly significant statistical differences between the groups and the measurements for the male IGF-1 (p=0.005) and (p=0.004) for the female Conclusion: It is established that the application of a program of aquatic physical exercise during four months can increase the IGF-1 in elderly.