The Beneficial Effect of Physical Exercise on Inflammatory Makers in Older Individuals

Abstract

: Old age is associated with a loss of motor functions and a general progressive decline in cognitive functions. Physical exercise is one of the ways in which inflammatory levels in general can be reduced, and therefore physical exercise can be considered a biological aging decelerator. In this article we examine the relationships between physical exercise and inflammatory markers reported for the different physical exercise protocols that have been used in studies with older individuals, as well as the effects of these regimens. The different types of exercises programmed, and methods used to implement them were very heterogeneous in the articles we analysed. Both, the aerobic exercise and resistance training protocols produced a decrease in plasma levels of IL-6, CRP and TNF-α, and an increase of IL10 plasma levels as a chronic effect. However, the acute-response of physical exercise appeared to be an initial increase in IL-6 expression and plasma IL-6 levels. Continuing with these exercise programs usually subsequently achieved a chronic response in which there was a decrease in both the basal levels of IL-6, CRP and TNF-α, and the IL-6 produced as acute responses. Regardless of the type of exercise performed, it seems that the exercise parameters, intensity, duration, subject variables, fitness, and level of inflammation are key factors in achieving the expected balance between pro-inflammatory and antiinflammatory cytokines.

Long-Term Effects of Microfiltered Seawater and Resistance Training with Elastic Bands on Hepatic Parameters, Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Blood Pressure of Older Women: A 32-Week, Double-Blinded, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial

“…In this sense, although, in our study, GSH/GSSG remained within healthy older adults' cut-off points, significant differences between pre-and post-intervention were not reported. Concerning the effects of RT on IL-6, our results agree with previous research [39] that encountered a chronic reduction of IL-6 levels with aerobic and RT. Hence, regardless of the type of physical exercise performed, it seems that the intensity, duration, devices employed, characteristics, and physical condition of the participants, as well as the inflammation grade are key factors in the management of oxidative cytokines.…”

Restriction of Physical Activity: Differences Between Adults and Older Adult Individuals

“…Biyolojik yaşlanmayı yavaşlatan bir faktör olan egzersiz ile artış gösteren bu inflamatuvar seviyeler azaltılabilir. Egzersiz pro-inflamatuvar ve antiinflamatuvar sitokinler arasında dengeyi sağlamada önemli rol oynar 61 .…”

The Potential Mediation of the Effects of Physical Activity on Cognitive Function by the Gut Microbiome

“…Many athletes use melatonin to optimize the effects of exercise, while melatonin is dramatically decreased in the elderly. This gives ready links to immune senescence that has classically been associated with aging and dementia [ 237 ], as well as the many emerging medical conditions in the elderly [ 238 ].…”

“…Their inclusion as the primary sample would likely improve the chances of causing and detecting related changes. Given the differences in prevalence of diseases known to impact cognitive function and the gut microbiome between ethnic/racial groups (e.g., dementia, hypertension, obesity, type 2 diabetes) [ 97 , 237 , 267 , 268 , 269 , 270 ], as well as evidence suggesting stable differences in gut microbiome composition due to geographic location and ethnicity/race [ 184 , 185 ], the recruitment of a diverse sample may aid examination of the potential effects of these respective factors on outcomes. Outcomes should include measures representative of the different pathways of the proposed mediation model, including cognitive function (i.e., cognitive testing, diagnosis of MCI, AD, VaD), indicators of brain health (e.g., BDNF, brain volume), indicators of disease [e.g., BMI, glucose, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)], and gut microbiome composition (i.e., DNA sequencing for amounts/proportions of gut microbiota).…”