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Effects of Chronic Exercise Training on Inflammatory Markers in Australian Overweight and Obese Individuals in a Randomized Controlled Trial

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Abstract

Physical activity has been shown to lower levels of inflammatory markers. However, results are inconsistent, indicating different modes of exercise may have different effects on inflammatory cytokines. We aimed to investigate the effects of 12 weeks of moderate-intensity aerobic, resistance, or combination exercise on TNF-α and IL-6 compared to no exercise in overweight and obese individuals. TNF-α levels were significantly decreased at week 12 compared to baseline by 20.8 % in the Aerobic group (p = 0.011), 26.9 % in the Resistance group (p = 0.0001), and 32.6 % in the Combination group (p = 0.003). Levels of TNF-α were significantly lower in the Combination compared to the Control group after 12 weeks of exercise training (−22.6 %, p = 0.025) when adjusting for baseline levels. Twelve weeks of moderate-intensity aerobic, resistance, but mainly combination exercise training decreased TNF-α in overweight and obese individuals compared to no exercise. Therefore, combination exercise training may be physiologically relevant in decreasing the risk of developing chronic diseases.

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Acknowledgments and Contributions

SH coordinated the trial, conducted data collection, and had input into the manuscript. APH had input into the writing of the manuscript and SSD provided statistical oversight. SSD developed the statistical analysis protocol and performed statistical analysis in conjunction with SH. SP conceived and designed the study, supervised the study and the statistical analysis, and mentored SH. The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest. This trial was partially funded by Curtin DRG grant and ATN Centre for Metabolic Fitness.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Public Health, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA, 6845, Australia

    Suleen S. Ho, Satvinder S. Dhaliwal & Sebely Pal

  2. Mater Mother’s Hospital, Mater Medical Research Institute, Conjoint Appointment with Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, Raymond Terrace, South Brisbane, QLD, 4101, Australia

    Andrew P. Hills

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  1. Suleen S. Ho
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Correspondence to Sebely Pal.

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Ho, S.S., Dhaliwal, S.S., Hills, A.P. et al. Effects of Chronic Exercise Training on Inflammatory Markers in Australian Overweight and Obese Individuals in a Randomized Controlled Trial. Inflammation 36, 625–632 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10753-012-9584-9

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