Acute inflammatory response to prolonged sculling in competitive male rowers

This study examined the effects of a prolonged low-intensity single scull rowing exercise on a complex of 12 different inflammatory cytokines in rowers.

Twenty male rowers (19.0±2.9 yrs; 185.6±4.8 cm; 85.7±10.8 kg; 17.1±5.1% body fat; maximal oxygen consumption [VO2max]: 63.9±8.5 mL.min.-1kg-1) completed a rowing training session lasting about 2-h (distance: 21.4±1.8 km; heart rate [HR]: 139±8 beats.min-1; intensity: 79.9±3.6% of the anaerobic threshold) followed by a 30-min rest. Venous blood samples were collected before and after on-water rowing, and analyzed for blood white cell count (WBC), high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), and 12 inflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, vascular endothelial growth factor, interferon-gamma, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, IL-1α, IL-1β, monocyte chemotactic protein-1 [MCP-1], epidermal growth factor).

Exercise induced significant (P<0.05) increment in WBC, hsCRP, IL-6, IL-10 and MCP-1 concentrations. The long-distance sculling intensity variables such as the average rating of perceived exertion, HR and blood lactate were correlated with changes in IL-8, IL-1α and IL-1β levels (r=0.47 to r=0.59; P<0.05). Maximal aerobic performance variables (VO2max and maximal aerobic power) were related to changes in IL-2, IL-4, IL-8 and IL-1β levels (r=-0.45 to r=-0.54; P<0.05).

Acute exercise-induced inflammatory reaction was reflected by a significant increase in serum IL-6, IL-10 and MCP-1 levels. Variance in exercise-induced increases in inflammatory markers in response to 2-h of endurance exercise was explained by aerobic performance and exercise intensity levels in competitive male rowers.