Effect of High Intensity Intermittent Games-Based Activity on Adolescent Cardio-Metabolic Health

Abstract

In adults emerging evidence suggests that games-based activity acutely stimulates anti-inflammatory and inhibits pro-inflammatory cytokine production, proposed to induce cardio-metabolic health benefits. The acute effects of high-intensity intermittent games on adolescent cardio-metabolic health remain unexplored. PURPOSE: To examine the effects of an acute bout of games-based activity on adolescent cardio-metabolic health. METHODS: Following ethical approval 18 adolescents (12.5±0.6 y) completed an exercise (E) and resting (R) trial in a counter-balanced, randomised crossover design. Following a standardised breakfast (1.5 g.kg-1 bm carbohydrate), participants completed 1 h games-based activity (basketball). Capillary blood samples were taken at baseline, immediately and 1 h post-exercise. A standardised lunch was consumed (1.5 g.kg-1 bm carbohydrate) and capillary blood samples were taken 30, 60 and 120 min post-lunch. A final blood sample was taken the following morning. Capillary blood samples were analysed for blood glucose, plasma insulin and cytokine (IL-6, IL-10, IL-1ra, IL-1β, IL-8 and TNF-α) concentrations. Data were analysed using repeated measures ANOVA and paired sample t-tests in SPSS. RESULTS: The blood glucose response to lunch was attenuated following exercise (trial*time interaction, p=0.008), with a tendency for a lower peak blood glucose concentration on the exercise trial (E: 5.6±0.7 mmol.L-1, R: 6.3±1.4 mmol.L-1, p=0.070). Similarly, the plasma insulin response was attenuated (trial*time interaction, p=0.002), with a lower peak plasma insulin concentration on the exercise trial (E: 217.2±29.2 pmol.L-1, R: 366.1±45.3 pmol.L-1, p <0.001). IL-6 concentration was higher (E: 4.22±0.80 pg.mL-1, R: 3.46±0.69 pg.mL-1, p=0.005) and there was a tendency for TNF-α to be attenuated (E: 1.24±0.22 pg.mL-1, R: 1.34±0.23 pg.mL-1, p=0.081) on the exercise trial. Exercise had no effect on the remaining cytokines. CONCLUSION: High-intensity intermittent games-based activity attenuated postprandial blood glucose and plasma insulin concentrations, whilst demonstrating an increase in IL-6 concentration, potentially mediating the reduced TNF-α concentrations. Thus high-intensity games-based physical activity elicits cardio-metabolic health benefits in adolescents.