Physical exercise and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in elderly: A systematic review

Author(s)

Vital, Thays Martins ^[1] ; Stein, Angelica Miki ^[1] ; de Melo Coelho, Flavia Gomes ^[1] ; Arantes, Franciel Jose ^[1] ; Teodorov, Elizabeth ^[2] ; Santos-Galduroz, Ruth Ferreira ^{[2, 1]}

Affiliation

^[1] UNESP Univ Estadual Paulista, Inst Biosci, Phys Activ & Aging Lab LAFE, BR-13506900 Rio Claro, SP - Brazil

^[2] Fed Univ ABC, UFABC, Ctr Math Comp & Cognit, Santo Andre, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Review article
• Source: ARCHIVES OF GERONTOLOGY AND GERIATRICS; v. 59, n. 2, p. 234-239, SEP-OCT 2014.
• Web of Science Citations: 18

Abstract

The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review of studies that verified the effects of physical exercise on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in elderly. Methodology: The bibliographic search was conducted in five database, from 1990 to 2013, with the following keywords and boolean operators: physical exercise OR physical exercise OR physical therapy OR exercise OR training AND VEGF OR vascular endothelial growth factor AND aged OR older OR elderly. The inclusion criteria were: (1) sample including elderly with average age of 60; (2) studies that verified the effects of acute exercise; (3) studies that verified the effects of chronic physical exercise; (4) studies with humans; (5) randomized controlled trials, randomized non-controlled trials, non-randomized controlled trials, non-randomized and non-controlled trials; (6) assessment of VEGF peripheral concentrations. Results: Ten studies were selected, and that four of them verified an increase of VEGF concentrations after practicing physical exercise and six studies did not verify any change on VEGF concentrations. Conclusion: Different populations found in this study and the different exercise protocols applied in the studies of this review make it difficult to establish parameters of what would be the best type of exercise to promote an increase on the concentrations of VEGF in the elderly. Therefore, we suggest that further studies can be performed, so that we can establish some recommendations for this population. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/21286-7 - Effects of aerobic exercise training on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), cognitive function and motor function in Alzheimer's Disease
• Grantee: Thays Martins Vital
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate