Blood immune function parameters in response to combined aerobic dance exercise and honey supplementation in adult women

Abstract

To date, information on the effectiveness of combined aerobic dance exercise with honey supplementation on immune function in women is lacking. The present study investigated the effects of 8 weeks of combined aerobic dance exercise and honey supplementation on blood immune function parameters in adult women. In this study, forty four healthy sedentary women (25–40 year-old) were assigned into four groups with n = 11 per group: sedentary without supplementation control (Con), honey supplementation (H), aerobic dance exercise (D) and combined aerobic dance exercise with honey supplementation (HD) groups. Aerobic dance exercise was carried out for one hour per session, three sessions per week for eight weeks. Honey drink was consumed by H and HD groups, in a dosage of 20 g of honey diluted in 300 ml of plain water, consumed 7 days a week for 8 weeks. In HD group, the participants were required to consume honey drink 30 min before performing exercise. Before and after 8 weeks of experimental period, blood samples were taken to determine the concentrations of immune parameters which include full blood counts and immunophenotyping measurements. It was found that after 8 weeks of experimental period, there were statistically significant increases in T cytotoxic (CD8) (p < 0.05) in HD group. Additionally, the percentages increase in total lymphocyte counts, T helper (CD4), and T cytotoxic (CD8) counts after 8 weeks were the highest in HD group among all the groups. As conclusion, combined aerobic dance and honey supplementation may have potential to enhance immune functions in women.

Effect of Low-Impact Aerobic Dance and Zumba Exercises on Body Fat Percentage in Obese Women

“…Before the 8 weeks of experimental period, participants' anthropometric measurements such as body height, weight and percentage of body fat were carried out. 17 The mechanical scales (SMIC ZT-120), were used to measure the height and weight while the percentage of body fat was measured with a device of skinfold caliper in millimeters (mm). Skinfold Caliper is a device which measures the thickness of a fold of skin with its underlying layer of fat.…”