Effects of exercise intensity and volume on systemic inflammation in overweight and obese postmenopausal women: a
Gang Huang1, Guanbo Wang2, Lianghao Zhu3
1School of Physical Education, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan, China.
Objective:
This study evaluates the dose-response relationships between multiple exercise parameters (volume, duration, and intensity) and inflammatory modulation (C-reactive protein [CRP], interleukin-6 [IL-6], tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF-α], and adiponectin) exclusively in overweight and obese postmenopausal women.
Methods:
Five databases were systematically searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) up to January 2026 (PROSPERO: CRD420261288134). Standardized Mean Differences (SMD) were estimated using random-effects models. Meta-regression analyses investigated the dose-response effects of total exercise volume (MET-minutes/week), intervention duration (weeks), and exercise intensity (systematically standardized to %HRmax).
Results:
Analysis of 30 RCTs (N = 2,124) demonstrated that exercise interventions significantly reduced TNF-α (SMD = -0.47, p < 0.001) and CRP (SMD = -0.36, p = 0.001). Changes in IL-6 and adiponectin were not statistically significant. Leave-one-out sensitivity analyses confirmed the exceptional stability of the CRP (SMD range: -0.41 to -0.28) and TNF-α reductions. Meta-regression revealed no definitive linear dose-response relationships for total exercise volume or duration across any biomarkers. However, a borderline trend (p = 0.063) indicated that higher exercise intensity is associated with greater reductions in TNF-α.
Conclusion:
Structured exercise functions as a potent therapeutic modality that reliably mitigates systemic and tissue-derived inflammation in postmenopausal obesity. The findings challenge the traditional reliance on total exercise volume or duration, pointing instead toward an "intensity threshold" where higher exercise intensities more effectively drive anti-inflammatory adaptations. Precision exercise prescriptions for this demographic should prioritize the optimization of exercise intensity.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:20Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
01:17Exercise and Cardiac Output
Sustained exercise increases the muscles' oxygen demand, which can be...
01:26Exercise Stress Test
Exercise stress testing, commonly known as a treadmill test, is a noninvasive procedure used to evaluate cardiovascular function and diagnose heart conditions.
Definition
An exercise stress test measures the heart's response to exertion using a treadmill or stationary bicycle. Chest electrodes record the heart's electrical activity through an ECG, and blood pressure is monitored regularly.
Purposes