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Int J Sports Med 2024; 45(12): 897-907
DOI: 10.1055/a-2348-0238
Physiology & Biochemistry

Acute Inflammatory Response to Eccentric Exercise in Young and Master Resistance-trained Athletes

Luciele Guerra Minuzzi 
1   Exercise and Immunometabolism Research Group, Postgraduate Program in Movement Sciences, Department of Physical Education, UNESP Campus de Presidente Prudente, Presidente Prudente, Brazil
2   Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, Research Center for Sport and Physical Activity, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
3   Department of Exercise Physiology and Sports Therapy, Institute of Sport Science, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
,
Alexander Ferrauti 
4   Faculty of Sport Science, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
,
Matheus Uba Chupel
5   Biological Sciences Platform - Hurvitz Brain Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
,
Sebastian Hacker 
3   Department of Exercise Physiology and Sports Therapy, Institute of Sport Science, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
,
Christopher Weyh
3   Department of Exercise Physiology and Sports Therapy, Institute of Sport Science, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
,
Pedro L. Valenzuela 
6   Department of Systems Biology, Universidad de Alcala de Henares, Madrid, Spain
7   Physical Activity and Health Research Group (PaHerg), Research Institute of Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
,
Alejandro Lucia
8   Faculty of Sport Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
9   Research Institute of the Hospital 12 de Octubre ('imas12'), Madrid, Spain
,
Karsten Krüger 
3   Department of Exercise Physiology and Sports Therapy, Institute of Sport Science, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
,
Thomas Reichel
3   Department of Exercise Physiology and Sports Therapy, Institute of Sport Science, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
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Abstract

This study aimed to compare the acute inflammatory response following high-intensity eccentric exercise between resistance-trained young and master athletes with similar performance levels. Resistance-trained young (n=8; 22±2 years) and master (n=8; 52±4 years) male athletes of a similar performance level performed a standardized high-intensity eccentric squat exercise protocol (10 sets of half-squats at 70% of 1-repetition maximum). The serum concentration of 20 biomarkers related to tissue damage, inflammation, remodeling, and repair was measured at baseline, immediately after exercise, and over a 72 h recovery period. Both groups experienced similar muscle damage as evidenced by a comparable increase in creatine kinase activity 24 h after exercise (p<0.001). Interleukin-6 (p=0.009) and growth hormone (p<0.001) increased immediately post-exercise in both groups. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 increased immediately post-exercise only in young athletes (p=0.003) and then decreased 24 h later. There were no significant differences for the remaining variables, including cell markers related to neutrophil/macrophage activation or pro/anti-inflammatory cytokines. Resistance-trained young and master athletes, matched for performance level, showed an overall similar inflammatory response to eccentric exercise, possibly reflecting regulatory mechanisms or immunological adaptations to chronic stimulation in master athletes.

Keywords

master athletes - eccentric exercise - inflammatory response - muscle damage


Publication History

Received: 07 March 2024

Accepted: 11 June 2024

Article published online:
28 July 2024

© 2024. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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