AUTHOR=Hayes Lawrence D. , Herbert Peter , Sculthorpe Nicholas F. , Grace Fergal M. 

TITLE=Short-Term and Lifelong Exercise Training Lowers Inflammatory Mediators in Older Men

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Physiology

VOLUME=12

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2021.702248

DOI=10.3389/fphys.2021.702248

ISSN=1664-042X

ABSTRACT=<p>Increased basal low-grade inflammation is observed with advancing age, which is augmented by physical inactivity. However, data regarding the influence of lifelong exercise training and particularly high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on inflammatory mediators in older men are scarce. Therefore, we examined effects of 6weeks of aerobic preconditioning followed by 6weeks of HIIT on inflammatory mediators [interleukin (IL)-6, homocysteine, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP)] in previously sedentary older men (SED) and masters athletes (LEX). Further, we investigated whether SED exhibited greater basal inflammatory biomarkers compared to LEX. Twenty-two men (aged 62±2years) participated in the SED group, while 17 age-matched LEX men (aged 60±5years) also participated as a positive comparison group. In SED, preconditioning (<italic>P</italic>=0.030, <italic>d</italic>=0.34) and HIIT (<italic>P</italic>=0.030, <italic>d</italic>=0.48) caused a reduction in IL-6 compared to enrollment. SED homocysteine did not change throughout (<italic>P</italic>&gt;0.57; <italic>d</italic>&lt;0.26), while the decrease in hsCRP after preconditioning (<italic>P</italic>=0.486, <italic>d</italic>=0.25) and after HIIT (<italic>P</italic>=0.781, <italic>d</italic>=0.23) compared to enrollment was small. HIIT did not influence IL-6 or hsCRP in LEX (all <italic>P</italic>&gt;0.42; <italic>d</italic>&lt;0.3). Homocysteine increased from enrollment to post-HIIT in LEX (<italic>P</italic>=0.144, <italic>d</italic>=0.83), but all other perturbations were trivial. IL-6 and hsCRP were greater in SED than LEX throughout the investigation (all <italic>P</italic>&lt;0.029; <italic>d&gt;</italic>0.72), but homocysteine was not different (all <italic>P</italic> &gt;0.131; <italic>d</italic>&lt;0.41). Results of this study suggest moderate-intensity aerobic exercise and HIIT lowers IL-6 (and possible hsCRP) in previously sedentary older men. Moreover, lifelong exercise is associated with reduced concentrations of some inflammatory biomarkers in older males, and therefore, physical activity, rather than age <italic>per se</italic>, is implicated in chronic low-grade inflammation. Moreover, physical inactivity-induced inflammation may be partly salvaged by short-term exercise training.</p>