Acute pro- and anti-inflammatory responses to resistance exercise in patients with coronary artery disease: a pilot study.

Little is known about the inflammatory effects of resistance exercise in healthy and even less in diseased individuals such as cardiac patients. The purpose of this study was to examine the acute pro- and anti-inflammatory responses during resistance exercise (RE) in patients with coronary artery disease. Eight low risk patients completed two acute RE protocols at low (50% of 1 RM; 2x18 rps) and moderate intensity (75% of 1 RM; 3x8 rps) in random order. Both protocols included six exercises and had the same total load volume. Blood samples were obtained before, immediately after and 60 minutes after each protocol for the determination of lactate, TNFα, INF-γ, IL-6, IL-10, TGF-ß1, and hsCRP concentrations. IL-6 and IL-10 levels increased (p < 0.05) immediately after both RE protocols with no differences between protocols. INF-γ was significantly lower (p < 0.05) 60 min after the low intensity protocol, whereas TGF-ß1 increased (p < 0.05) immediately after the low intensity protocol. There were no differences in TNF-& and hs-CRP after both RE protocols or between protocols. The above data indicate that acute resistance exercise performed at low to moderate intensity in low risk, trained CAD patients is safe and does not exacerbate the inflammation associated with their disease. Key pointsAcute resistance exercise is safe without exacerbating inflammation in patients with CAD.Both exercise intensities (50 and 75% of 1 RM) elicit desirable pro-and anti-inflammatory responses.With both exercise intensities (50 and 75% of 1 RM) acceptable clinical hemodynamic alterations were observed.

Combined strength and aerobic training increases transforming growth factor-ß1 in patients with type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of a combined strength and aerobic training program on pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and transforming growth factor-ß1 in patients with type 2 diabetes. DESIGN: Ten patients with type 2 diabetes, aged 55.5 (5) years [median (IQR)] participated in a supervised systematic exercise training program which included aerobic exercise and strength training, undertaken four days per week for eight weeks. RESULTS: The training program increased transforming growth factor-ß1 concentration (+50.4%) and reduced high sensitivity C reactive protein levels (-24.1%) without altering the levels of interleukin-6, interleukin-10, interferon-γ and tumor necrosis factor-α. Additional improvements were also achieved in anthropometric characteristics, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c: -11.8%), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR: -15%) and physical fitness parameters (stress test: +26.6%, upper muscle strength: +32.4% and lower muscle strength: +48.9%). CONCLUSION: A combined strength and aerobic exercise program has a potential anti-atherogenic and anti-inflammatory impact which most likely reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and improves the health status in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Training, detraining and retraining effects after a water-based exercise program in patients with coronary artery disease.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the adaptations of a water-based training program as well as the detraining and retraining effects on physiological parameters in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: Twenty-one patients were separated in an exercise group (n = 11) and a control group (n = 10). The exercise group followed three periods: training, detraining and retraining. Each period lasted 4 months. During the training and the retraining periods, the patients performed four sessions of water exercise (not swimming) per week. RESULTS: The water-based program was well-accepted and no adverse effects were observed. The exercise group improved (p < 0.05) their stress-test time (+11.8%), VO(2 peak) (+8.4%) and total body strength (+12.2%) after the training period; detraining tended to reverse these positive adaptations. Resumption of training increased the beneficial effects obtained after the initial training period (exercise stress: +4.5%; VO(2 peak): +6.6%; total strength: +7.0%). The patients in the control group did not show any significant alterations throughout the study. CONCLUSION: Water-based exercise is safe and induces positive physiological and muscular adaptations in low-risk patients with CAD. These could be reversed, however, after the cessation of exercise. This is why uninterrupted exercise throughout life is a must.