Physical training and antioxidant supplementation may influence iron metabolism through reduced oxidative stress and subsequent lowering of mRNA levels of genes that are easily induced by this stress, including those responsible for iron homeostasis. Fifteen elderly women participated in our 12-week experiment, involving six weeks of training without supplementation and six weeks of training supported by oral supplementation of 1000 mg of vitamin C daily. The participants were divided into two groups (n = 7 in group 1 and n = 8 in group 2). In group 1, we applied vitamin C supplementation in the first six weeks of training, while in group 2 during the remaining six weeks of training. In both phases, the health-related training occurred three times per week. Training accompanied by vitamin C supplementation did not affect prooxidative/antioxidative balance but significantly decreased ferritin heavy chain (FTH) and ferritin light chain (FTL) mRNA in leukocytes (for FTH mRNA from 2^64.24 to 2^11.06, p = 0.03 in group 1 and from 2^60.54 to 2^16.03, p = 0.01 in group 2, for FTL mRNA from 2^20.22 to 2^4.53, p = 0.01 in group 2). We concluded that vitamin C supplementation might have caused a decrease in gene expression of two important antioxidative genes (FTH, FTL) and had no effect on plasma prooxidative/antioxidative balance.

Background: Gait speed (GS) is the most popular tool used in clinical practice to diagnose functional performance.In order to maintain the independence of the elderly, it is useful to determine the association between gait speed and skeletal muscle mass, as well as the strength of the lower and upper extremities, which was the aim of this study. Material and methods:The study involved 95 women in the postmenopausal period. The skeletal muscle mass (SM) was determined using a bioelectric impedance method using an octapolar bioimpedance InBody 720 analyzer. Upper limb strength was measured using the handgrip strength (HS) and arm curl (SAC) tests. The strength of the lower extremities was tested using a 30-second chair stand (SCS) test and the speed was based on the GS test.Results: A significant correlation between the GS test results and the strength of the lower extremities (r = 0.23; p = 0.03) was demonstrated. There was no correlation between GS and the strength of the upper extremities, muscle mass & the skeletal muscle mass index (SMI). Conclusions:Our observations can be useful for instructors and trainers in the process of programming physical activity of older women and in diagnostics of sarcopenia.

Introduction. Together with longer human lives, increase in economy level and higher social expectations, there is also need for developing science studies on physical culture and its role in prevention of ageing. Taking care of physical fitness is one of the main factor that guarantees both health and high quality life for millions of older people. The purpose of this article was to determine the changes of physical fitness level under the influence of Nordic walking trainingin women aged 60-75 years. Material and methods. 65 women aged 60-75 years were the subject of this study. Women were divided into 2 groups: control group (26 people) and experimental group (39 people). Women from experimental group were taking part in Nordic walking training for 15 weeks, 2 times a week, 60 minutes each meeting. To determine the level of physical fitness some trials from EUROFIT test for adults were applied and march test 2 km was held. Results. The trend of improvement of physical fitness under health education and Nordic walking training was determined. The best results was on endurance field (statistically significant p<0.05). It was also observed slight decrease in physical fitness in women that didn't take part in mentioned training.

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