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Differences in metabolic and inflammatory responses in lower and upper body high-intensity intermittent exercise

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of upper and lower body high-intensity intermittent exercise (HIIE) on immunometabolism profile.

Methods

Seven male judo athletes completed two experimental sessions separated by at least 48 h. The athletes completed four bouts of the upper and lower body Wingate tests separated by 3-min recovery periods. The blood samples were collected at rest and immediately after the fourth bout of lower and upper body Wingate tests. Serum was analysed for IL-1ra (Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist), interleukins (IL-1) IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor alpha), cortisol, glucose, and NEFA (non-ester fatty acid). Peak power (maximum power attained during the 30 s test), mean power were calculated. In addition, after 1 and 2.5-min of each Wingate bout, blood samples from the ear lobe were collected for lactate analysis.

Results

Our data demonstrated that lower body HIIE promoted a greater metabolic rate (values pre- vs. post-Wingate, for lactate: 1.02 ± 0.16 vs. 14.44 ± 1.08 mmol/L; for glucose: 112.5 ± 16.7 vs. 147.9 ± 23.5 mg/dL) and resulted in higher mechanical (mean power: 621 ± 46 vs. 427 ± 40 W, peak power: 794 ± 61 vs. 602 ± 109 W) performance compared to the upper body HIIE (lactate: 0.85 ± 0.18 vs. 12.69 ± 0.74 mmol/L; for glucose: 115.3 ± 20.4 vs. 123.7 ± 28.6 mg/dL; mean power: 480 ± 46 vs. 341 ± 45 W; and peak power: 672 ± 83 vs. 501 ± 120 W), but NEFA showed a similar response to both conditions, with increased IL-10 levels.

Conclusions

In conclusion, our results demonstrated that despite the higher performance in lower body HIIE, the inflammatory response did not differ between exercise modalities.

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Abbreviations

HIIE:

High-intensity intermittent exercise

IL-10:

Interleukin 10

IL-13:

Interleukin 13

IL-13Rα1:

Interleukin 13 receptor alpha 1

IL-1ra:

Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist

IL-2:

Interleukin 2

IL-4:

Interleukin 4

IL-4Rα:

Interleukin 4 receptor alpha

IL-6:

Interleukin 6

NEFA:

Non-ester fatty acid

TNF-α:

Tumor necrosis factor alpha

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Acknowledgments

Fabio Santos Lira thanks Fapesp for their support (2013/25310-2), and Emerson Franchini thanks Fapesp (2012/00220-8).

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Exercise and Immunometabolism Research Group, Department of Physical Education, Universidade Estadual Paulista, UNESP, Rua Roberto Simonsen 305, Presidente Prudente, 19060-900, SP, Brazil

    Fábio S. Lira

  2. Department of Sport, School of Physical Education and Sport, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

    Valéria L. G. Panissa, Ursula F. Julio & Emerson Franchini

Authors
  1. Fábio S. Lira
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  2. Valéria L. G. Panissa
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  3. Ursula F. Julio
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  4. Emerson Franchini
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Fábio S. Lira.

Additional information

Communicated by Fabio Fischetti.

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Lira, F.S., Panissa, V.L.G., Julio, U.F. et al. Differences in metabolic and inflammatory responses in lower and upper body high-intensity intermittent exercise. Eur J Appl Physiol 115, 1467–1474 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-015-3127-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-015-3127-7

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