Anti-Inflammatory Effects Of Different Types Of Physical Exercises In Adults

Abstract

A link between physical inactivity, central obesity, and inflammation likely exists suggesting physical activity and inactivity as critical regulators of systemic inflammation. PURPOSE: To investigate the responsiveness of a systemic inflammatory marker to different types of physical exercises. METHODS: A sample of 302 individuals from both genders was taken among (2013-2016) participants of the dynamic cohort "Move for Health", a lifestyle-modification program(LiSM) with supervised physical exercises and dietary counseling. The evaluation instruments were: IPAQ (long form-version 8); anthropometric, plasma analysis of high-sensitive C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP) and physical fitness. After the clinical trial, the groups were assembled voluntarily in any of the exercise-protocols : hydro-gymnastics (HYD, 240min-400MET/week, n=50), high intensity interval training (HIIT, 240min-496MET/week, n=63), strength training in gym (ST, 360min-545MET/week, n=43) and mixed walking-strength (MIX, 30 min of walking 60-80% HRmax and ST, 540min-743MET/week, n=146). All groups received similar dietary counseling. Assessments were undertaken at baseline and after 10 weeks of supervised intervention. Continuous and categorized data were evaluated at 5% significance level. RESULTS: The 55.5 ± 10.8 years old sample, 88% females, 80.5% overweight, 91% reporting at least 150min/wk, 63% with good cardiorespiratory fitness, 78% good hand-grip strength but 73% presenting poor flexibility. At baseline, groups were similar and after intervention, all protocols incremented the baseline values of VO2max; flexibility (except in the HIIT) and muscle strength (only in ST and MIX). The level of physical activity increased only in MIX. Waist circumference(WC) reduced 1.3cm(HYD) to 2.2cm(ST), significantly in all but HIIT group. Us-CRP decreased significantly from 0.54(0.04-3.00) to 0.35(0.01-1.43) mg/dL, leading to a reduction of inflammatory stress (IS:CRP>_0.30mg/dL) from 44.7% to 29.8%. Except HYD, hs-CRP decreased in all other groups, while only HIIT reduced significantly(23%) the IS. CONCLUSIONS: The 10-wk LiSM was effective in reducing systemic inflammation, being more effective in HIIT and less in HYD, dissociable from WC changes and specific fitness improvements. Supported by CNPq and CAPES.