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Effects of mode and intensity on the acute exercise-induced IL-6 and CRP responses in a sedentary, overweight population

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Abstract

This study sought to compare the respective effects of resistance or aerobic exercise of higher or lower intensities on the acute plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) response in a sedentary, middle-aged, disease-free cohort. Following baseline testing, and in a randomized cross-over design, 12 sedentary males completed four exercise protocols, including 40 min of moderate–vigorous (M-VA) or low-intensity (LA) aerobic exercise on a cycle ergometer; and a moderate–vigorous (M-VR) or low-intensity (LR) full-body resistance session matched for protocol duration. Venous blood was obtained pre-, post-, 3 h post and 24 h post-exercise and analysed for IL-6, CRP, leukocyte count, myoglobin, creatine kinase (CK), and cortisol. Diet and physical activity were standardized 24 h before and after exercise. Results indicated an elevated CRP response in the M-VR protocol in comparison to the low-intensity protocols (P < 0.05); however, no changes were evident between the moderate–vigorous intensity protocols. The moderate–vigorous intensity protocols induced significant increases of IL-6, cortisol, and leukocytes in comparison to the low-intensity protocols (P < 0.05). However, the IL-6 response showed no significant differences between the moderate–vigorous intensity protocols, despite the M-VR protocol inducing the largest response of markers indicative of muscle damage (CK, myoglobin, and neutrophil count) (P < 0.05). Hence, indicating a disassociation between the IL-6 response and markers of muscle damage within the respective exercise bouts. The highest IL-6 response was evident in the moderate–vigorous intensity protocols immediately post-exercise. Moreover, the exercise modality did not seem to influence the acute IL-6 and CRP response, with the main determinant of the IL-6 response being exercise intensity.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge staff at the Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia, and the Institutional staff at CSU Exercise Physiology Laboratories, Bathurst, NSW for assistance and support in blood analysis. They would also like to acknowledge the subjects for their invovlement in the research study.

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Correspondence to Amy E. Mendham.

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Communicated by Susan Ward.

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Mendham, A.E., Donges, C.E., Liberts, E.A. et al. Effects of mode and intensity on the acute exercise-induced IL-6 and CRP responses in a sedentary, overweight population. Eur J Appl Physiol 111, 1035–1045 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-010-1724-z

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