Strength Training Session Induces Important Changes on Physiological, Immunological, and Inflammatory Biomarkers

Area of Science:

• Exercise Physiology
• Immunology
• Sports Science

Background:

• Strength exercise, particularly with eccentric muscle actions, is known to induce skeletal muscle hypertrophy.
• The hypertrophic response is influenced by inflammatory processes and muscle damage.
• Understanding the physiological and immunological responses to a single eccentric-focused strength session is crucial for training optimization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the physiological, immunological, and inflammatory responses to a strength training session emphasizing eccentric muscle actions.
• To compare these responses between untrained (UTG) and trained (TG) individuals.

Main Methods:

• Twenty volunteers were divided into UTG and TG.
• Both groups performed 4 sets of leg press, knee extensor, and leg curl at 65% of one-repetition maximum (1RM), with a 2-second concentric and 3-second eccentric duration.
• Blood samples were collected pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, 2 hours post-exercise, and 24 hours post-exercise.

Main Results:

• Strength training elevated heart rate (HR), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and lactate levels in both groups.
• Creatine kinase (CK) levels increased post-exercise, with higher elevations in UTG at 2 and 24 hours compared to TG.
• White blood cells (WBC) and neutrophils increased post-exercise in both groups. Apelin and FABP3 levels rose in both groups, while BDNF increased only in TG.

Conclusions:

• A single session of strength training with eccentric predominance induces significant physiological and immune responses in both trained and untrained individuals.
• The magnitude and timing of certain markers, like CK, differ between trained and untrained groups.
• This exercise protocol stimulates the release of myokines and other signaling molecules, with some responses being group-specific.