The effect of aerobic versus strength-based training on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in older adults

Abstract

Increased levels of inflammatory markers, namely, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), have been associated with several chronic diseases including atherosclerosis, type 2 diabetes and hypertension. Forty-five women and men aged >64 years participated in the study and were randomly assigned to two exercise intervention groups and a non-exercising control group. The participants assigned to the exercising groups followed a 16-week exercise protocol based either on aerobic training (AT) or strength training (ST) followed by a further 16 weeks off-training period. The control group (C) remained sedentary throughout the study. Evaluation of body mass, BMI, waist circumference, aerobic endurance, lower-body strength, upper-body strength, triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and hs-CRP were performed at baseline, after 16 weeks (post-training for the exercise groups) and at 32 weeks (follow-up). Both, AT and ST groups significantly increased functional fitness at the end of the exercise programs when compared to baseline values. hs-CRP concentrations were maintained throughout the study for the C group, while decreasing 10% at 16 weeks and 51% at 32 weeks for the AT group. In the ST group the hs-CRP concentrations decreased by 11 and 39% at 16 and 32 weeks, respectively. Decreases in hs-CRP concentrations were statistically significant for the AT and ST groups at the 32-week evaluation when compared to baseline. Reduction in hs-CRP concentrations seemed to be associated with strength gains and adiposity loss.

Exercise Standards for Testing and Training

“…456 Prospective data on the relationship between exercise training and inflammatory markers (eg, interleukins and cytokines) are more limited but suggest that exercise training (both aerobic and resistance training) can favorably affect hs-CRP levels and other inflammatory markers both in healthy populations and among individuals with metabolic disorders such as diabetes mellitus. 452,[457][458][459] Whether this effect of exercise training occurs independently of weight loss remains controversial, and the mechanisms by which exercise might lower inflammatory markers are unknown. 452,459 Exercise Training and Vascular Function Numerous observational and interventional studies have shown salutary effects of aerobic exercise training on arterial function.…”

Measurement and Physiological Relevance of the Maximal Lipid Oxidation Rate During Exercise (LIPOXmax)

“…A number of studies suggest that in these diseases regular exercise has anti-inflammatory effects therefore it may contribute to suppress systemic low-grade inflammation (Mattusch et al, 2000;Stewart et al, 2007;Goldhammer, et al, 2005). Overall, both endurance and resistance training decrease C-Reactive Protein (CRP) (Martins et al, 2010). In two studies, LIPOXmax training has been shown to decrease CRP (Ben Ounis et al, 2010;Brun et al, 2011b).…”

Exercise and the microbiota

“…24 Among elderly subjects, aerobic and resistance training individually attenuate inflammatory tone but may take up to 6-months to take effect. 28 Whether intestinal immunological responses to exercise mirror those of the systemic immune compartment is unclear but seems likely. Strenuous aerobic activity in healthy mice leads to an immediate increase in TNF-a expression in intestinal lymphocytes, 29 but appears to be suppressed below pre-exercise levels at 24-hours post-exercise.…”