Effect of Different Acute Exercise Intensities on the Inflammatory Markers in Overweight and Obese Subjects

The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of an acute bout of different exercise intensities on modifying the inflammatory markers in overweight and obese subjects. Sixty adult males divided into: a control group (n=30) included normal weight subjects (BMI < 25 kg/m2) and an overweight (OW) and obese group (n=30) included subjects with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2. Each group was randomly subdivided into three groups (n=10 each): low, moderate and high intensity exercise groups. Anthropometric measurements obtained and plasma C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) levels were measured before and thirty minutes after twenty minutes incremental exercise, at 45%, 60% or 80% of predicted maximum heart rate, on a motor driven treadmill. Following an acute bout of moderate or high intensity exercise, OW and obese subjects showed significant increase in CRP and IL-6 levels; however, TNF-α levels significantly decreased. Nevertheless, an acute low intensity exercise induced no significant changes in any of the measured markers in the OW and obese subjects. In conclusion, an acute bout of moderate or high intensity exercise, but not low intensity exercise, induces an inflammatory response, characterized by a rise in levels of CRP and IL-6, and a decrease in TNF-α level in overweight and obese subjects.