Journal of Coaching Development · Jan 31, 2026
Effects of Exercise Training and Ginsenoside Intake on Blood Cytokines and Salivary Immunoglobulin A Concentrations in Elderly
By Ahn N
The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of health exercise training and ginsenoside intake on immune function and vascular inflammatory markers in older adults. The study participants were 40 older women, divided into an exercise group (10 participants), a ginsenoside intake group (10 participants), a combined exercise + ginsenoside group (10 participants), and a control group (10 participants). The exercise program used calisthenics and elastic bands and was conducted for 50 minutes per session, 3 times per week, for 12 weeks, and ginsenoside extract (Korea Food Research Institute, Korea) was taken orally at a dose of 100 mg/kg daily for 12 weeks. The measured variables were body composition, functional fitness, blood IL-6 and IL-15 concentrations, and salivary SIgA concentrations, and all data were analyzed using two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance, paired t-test, and independent t-test with SPSS 23.0. The statistical significance level was set at p<.05. The results showed that body weight decreased significantly in the exercise group and the combined exercise + ginsenoside group, and BMI decreased significantly in the exercise group (p<.05). For functional fitness, the exercise group showed significant improvements in all items, the ginsenoside intake group showed significant improvements in grip strength, TUG, and 2-minute stepping in place, and the combined group showed significant improvements in grip strength, chair stands, forward trunk flexion, TUG, and 2-minute stepping in place (p<.05). Plasma IL-6 concentrations increased significantly in the ginsenoside intake group and the combined group, and IL-15 concentrations increased significantly in the exercise group, the ginsenoside intake group, and the combined group (p<.05). Salivary SIgA concentrations also increased significantly in the exercise group and the combined group (p<.05). Taken together, these results suggest that combining a health exercise program with ginsenoside (ginseng extract) intake may have positive effects on enhancing physical function and improving anti-inflammatory immune responses in older women.