The effect of 8-week different-intensity walking exercises on serum hepcidin, IL-6, and iron metabolism in pre-menopausal women.

Objective Hepcidin may be an important mediator in exercise-induced iron deficiency. Despite the studies investigating acute exercise effects on hepcidin and markers of iron metabolism, we found no studies examining the chronic effects of walking exercises (WE) on hepcidin and markers of iron metabolism in premenopausal women. The chronic effects of two 8-week different-intensity WE on hepcidin, interleukin 6 (IL-6), and markers of iron metabolism in pre-menopausal women were examined. Methods Exercise groups (EG) [moderate tempo walking group (MTWG), n = 11; brisk walking group (BWG), n = 11] walked 3 days/week, starting from 30 to 51 min. Control group (CG; n = 8) did not perform any exercises. BWG walked at ∼70%-75%; MTWG at ∼50%-55% of HRRmax. VO2max, hepcidin, IL-6, and iron metabolism markers were determined before and after the intervention. Results VO2max increased in both EGs, favoring the BWG. Hepcidin increased in the BWG (p < 0.01) and CG (p < 0.05). IL-6 decreased in the BWG and the MTWG (p < 0.05; p < 0.01). While iron, ferritin, transferrin, and transferrin saturation levels did not change in any group, total iron binding capacity (p < 0.05), red blood cells (p < 0.05), and hematocrit (p < 0.01) increased only in the BWG. Conclusion Both WE types may be useful to prevent inflammation. However, brisk walking is advisable due to the positive changes in VO2max and some iron metabolism parameters, which may contribute to prevent iron deficiency. The increase in hepcidin levels remains unclear and necessitates further studies.

Differences in blood lipids and apolipoproteins between master athletes, recreational athletes and sedentary men.

AIM: Studies related with the role of intensive and moderate training on reducing coronary heart disease (CHD) risks have revealed conflicting RESULTS: Thus, the aim of this study was to clarify the association between long-term physical training with competitive and recreational purposes and blood lipids and apolipoproteins in the middle-aged master athletes, recreational athletes and sedentary controls. METHODS: The association between long-term physical training and serum concentrations of lipids, lipoproteins, and apolipoproteins in the middle-aged men was investigated. Twelve male master athletes (MA), 12 male recreational athletes (RA) (>10 y), and 12 male sedentary controls (CG) participated in the study. Serum concentrations of lipids and lipoproteins were measured by enzymatic methods; apolipoproteins (ApoA1 and ApoB) and serum lipoprotein(a) Lp(a) were measured by immonoprecipitation assays. RESULTS: TC, LDL-C, ApoA1, Lp(a) levels and LDL-C/HDL-C ratio of the 3 groups did not show any significant differences. MA and RA had significantly higher levels of VO2max, HDL-C, ApoA1/ApoB ratio; and lower values of percent body fat, resting heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, TG, ApoB and TC/HDL-C ratio than CG. We did not find any significant differences between MA and RA in any variables except for BMI and TC/HDL-C ratio. CONCLUSIONS: Habitual physical training favorably altered serum lipid and apolipoprotein profiles. Although there was no statistical significance (except for BMI and TC/HDL-C) between MA and RA, a tendency to reduce the CHD risks was observed almost in all variables in favor of MA.

Recreational and master athletic activity does not affect free and total prostate-specific antigen levels but lowers the free-to-total prostate-specific antigen ratio.

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and the ratio of free-to-total PSA are widely used tumour markers, but the effect of exercise on these parameters is unclear. We aimed to determine whether long-term physical training was associated with changes in serum PSA by comparing PSA concentrations in middle-aged master athletes (n = 12), recreational athletes (n = 12) and sedentary controls (n = 12). Serum total PSA and free PSA concentrations were assessed using an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay; there were no significant differences among the groups. The free-to-total PSA ratio was significantly lower statistically in master athletes compared with recreational athletes, but this is not clinically significant as both values (0.22 versus 0.31, respectively) were within the normal range. These results indicate that the free-to-total PSA ratio may be affected by long-term athletic training, and could be important when evaluating athletes with prostate-related disorders.

Differences in the cellular and humoral immune system between middle-aged men with different intensity and duration of physically training.

AIM: The effects of acute exercise on immune system and serum magnesium and iron have been investigated in recent years. However, data related to the comparisons of long-term physical training with different intensity and duration are limited. METHODS: The association between long-term physical training and cellular (lymphocyte phenotyping) and humoral immune parameters (serum immunoglobulins) and serum magnesium and iron values in the middle-aged men was investigated. Eleven male master athletes (MA) performing high intensity and long duration training, 11 male recreational athletes (RA) performing moderate intensity and duration training (>10 years) participated. Eleven male sedentary individuals were enrolled as control group (CG). RESULTS: The percentages of total CD3+ T cells, CD4+ T helper, CD8+ T suppressor/cytotoxic, CD19+ B cells, natural killer cells, HLA-DR+ active T cells and CD4/CD8 ratios did not show any significant difference among 3 groups. In MA, VO2max values showed a significant negative correlation with CD4+ T helper cells. There were no significant differences among MA, RA and CG in terms of IgG, IgA, and IgM concentrations. There was a significant correlation between VO2max and IgG in RA. Iron, iron binding capacity and ferritin were found similar in all groups, but serum magnesium level in MA was significantly lower than RA and CG. CONCLUSION: No exact data to support immunosuppression or immunostimulation could be obtained except a significant negative correlation between CD4+ T helper cells and VO2max values in MA and a positive correlation between serum IgG and VO2max ivalues in RA. These findings may be the indirect markers of cellular immune system suppression by intensive exercises and stimulation of IgG production by moderate exercises.

Effects of continuous and interval running training on serum growth and cortisol hormones in junior male basketball players.

Effects of two different eight-week aerobic training programs consisting of continuous (CR) or extensive interval running (IR) on serum growth (GH) and cortisol hormones in 33 male basketball players aged 15-16 were assessed. The CR group ran 4.8 km and the IR group ran 4 x 1.2 km, using equal work-to-rest ratio, three times per week. Aerobic power scores of all subjects and anaerobic power marks of the training subjects increased (p<0.01). Upon exertion, though serum GH levels increased in both exercise groups (p<0.01) prior to and following training; cortisol levels increased only in the IR group prior to training, and in both exercise groups following training (p<0.05). Following the eight week period, resting cortisol levels rose in the training (p<0.05) and control (p<0.01) groups. To conclude, an 8-week training program consisting of continuous or extensive interval running has been effective on acute GH and cortisol secretion in 15-16 year-old male athletes.