LONG-TERM EXERCISE PATTERNS AND IMMUNE FUNCTION IN HEALTHY OLDER WOMEN - A REPORT OF PRELIMINARY FINDINGS

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between acti ve versus inactive lifestyle and immunocompetence in older women. A sa mple of 46 independently dwelling, ambulatory and mentally alert women 60-98 years was examined, 25 who rated themselves as 'active' and 21 who rated themselves as 'inactive'. Lymphocyte subpopulations were ana lyzed by flow cytometry using selected monoclonal antibodies. The self -reported active subjects (also validated by their current unsolicited participation in a formal exercise class) demonstrated significantly higher percent change in CD25 mitogen stimulated lymphocytes (P = 0.03 35) than those who reported themselves to be sedentary. (C) 1997 Elsev ier Science Ireland Ltd.