Effects of Resistance Training on C-Reactive Protein and Inflammatory Cytokines in Elderly Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Overview

Journal Int J Environ Res Public Health

Publisher MDPI

Specialties Environmental Health
Public Health

Date 2022 Mar 25

PMID 35329121

Authors

Sang-Dol Kim

Young-Ran Yeun

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Chronic low-grade inflammation that accompanies aging is associated with adverse health outcomes and may exacerbate the severity of infectious disease such as COVID-19. Resistance training (RT) has the potential to improve chronic low-grade inflammation, but the evidence remains inconclusive. This study evaluated the effects of RT on chronic low-grade inflammation in elderly adults. MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, RISS, NDSL, and KoreaMed were searched. We included studies that assessed the effect of RT on C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in those aged ≥60 years. The effect size was estimated using fixed or random-effects models. Subgroup analysis was performed regarding age, health status, training method, number of exercises, intensity, weekly frequency, and duration. In the 18 randomized controlled trials (539 patients) included, RT was effective in alleviating CRP (effect size = −0.72, 95% confidence interval = −1.06 to −0.38, p < 0.001), IL-10 (−3.34, −6.16 to −0.53, p = 0.02), and TNF-α (−0.56, −1.08 to −0.03, p = 0.04) in elderly adults and tended to reduce IL-6 (−0.59, −1.18 to 0.00, p = 0.05). Subgroup analyses showed CRP reduction regardless of age, training method, number of exercises, intensity, weekly frequency, and duration. RT can be used to ameliorate chronic low-grade inflammation in elderly adults.

Citing Articles

The effects of acute and chronic exercise on immune markers of TH1/TH2 cells in older adults: a systematic review.

Teodoro T, Costa K, Prestes J, Campanholi J, Navalta J, Pereira G Front Physiol. 2025; 16:1453747.

PMID: 40008210 PMC: 11850391. DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2025.1453747.

Effectiveness of Physical Activity in the Management of Nonspecific Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review.

Alonso-Sal A, Alonso-Perez J, Sosa-Reina M, Garcia-Noblejas-Fernandez J, Balani-Balani V, Rossettini G Medicina (Kaunas). 2025; 60(12.

PMID: 39768944 PMC: 11678838. DOI: 10.3390/medicina60122065.

Global consensus on optimal exercise recommendations for enhancing healthy longevity in older adults (ICFSR).

Izquierdo M, De Souto Barreto P, Arai H, Bischoff-Ferrari H, Cadore E, Cesari M J Nutr Health Aging. 2025; 29(1):100401.

PMID: 39743381 PMC: 11812118. DOI: 10.1016/j.jnha.2024.100401.

Exercise and Nutrition in the Mental Health of the Older Adult Population: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

Carcelen-Fraile M, Deniz-Ramirez N, Sabina-Campos J, Aibar-Almazan A, Rivas-Campo Y, Gonzalez-Martin A Nutrients. 2024; 16(11).

PMID: 38892674 PMC: 11174647. DOI: 10.3390/nu16111741.

The Impact of Exercise on Interleukin-6 to Counteract Immunosenescence: Methodological Quality and Overview of Systematic Reviews.

Reis A, Furtado G, Menuchi M, Borges G Healthcare (Basel). 2024; 12(10).

PMID: 38786366 PMC: 11121001. DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12100954.

References

Margina D, Ungurianu A, Purdel C, Tsoukalas D, Sarandi E, Thanasoula M . Chronic Inflammation in the Context of Everyday Life: Dietary Changes as Mitigating Factors. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020; 17(11). PMC: 7312944. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17114135. View

Fullerton J, Gilroy D . Resolution of inflammation: a new therapeutic frontier. Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2016; 15(8):551-67. DOI: 10.1038/nrd.2016.39. View

Peluso I, Palmery M . The relationship between body weight and inflammation: Lesson from anti-TNF-α antibody therapy. Hum Immunol. 2015; 77(1):47-53. DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2015.10.008. View

Tomeleri C, Souza M, Burini R, Cavaglieri C, Ribeiro A, Antunes M . Resistance training reduces metabolic syndrome and inflammatory markers in older women: A randomized controlled trial. J Diabetes. 2017; 10(4):328-337. DOI: 10.1111/1753-0407.12614. View

Giannopoulou I, Fernhall B, Carhart R, Weinstock R, Baynard T, Figueroa A . Effects of diet and/or exercise on the adipocytokine and inflammatory cytokine levels of postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes. Metabolism. 2005; 54(7):866-75. DOI: 10.1016/j.metabol.2005.01.033. View

Petersen A, Pedersen B . The anti-inflammatory effect of exercise. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2005; 98(4):1154-62. DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00164.2004. View

Santiago L, Neto L, Pereira G, Leite R, Mostarda C, de Oliveira Brito Monzani J . Effects of Resistance Training on Immunoinflammatory Response, TNF-Alpha Gene Expression, and Body Composition in Elderly Women. J Aging Res. 2018; 2018:1467025. PMC: 6230406. DOI: 10.1155/2018/1467025. View

Degens H . Age-related skeletal muscle dysfunction: causes and mechanisms. J Musculoskelet Neuronal Interact. 2007; 7(3):246-52. View

Khalafi M, Malandish A, Rosenkranz S . The impact of exercise training on inflammatory markers in postmenopausal women: A systemic review and meta-analysis. Exp Gerontol. 2021; 150:111398. DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2021.111398. View

10.

Chupel M, Direito F, Furtado G, Minuzzi L, Pedrosa F, Colado J . Strength Training Decreases Inflammation and Increases Cognition and Physical Fitness in Older Women with Cognitive Impairment. Front Physiol. 2017; 8:377. PMC: 5467003. DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2017.00377. View

11.

Fulop T, Witkowski J, Olivieri F, Larbi A . The integration of inflammaging in age-related diseases. Semin Immunol. 2018; 40:17-35. DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2018.09.003. View

12.

Furtado G, Chupel M, Minuzzi L, Rama L, Colado J, Hogervorst E . The Mediating Effect of Different Exercise Programs on the Immune Profile of Frail Older Women with Cognitive Impairment. Curr Pharm Des. 2020; 26(9):906-915. DOI: 10.2174/1381612826666200203123258. View

13.

de Labra C, Guimaraes-Pinheiro C, Maseda A, Lorenzo T, Millan-Calenti J . Effects of physical exercise interventions in frail older adults: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. BMC Geriatr. 2015; 15:154. PMC: 4667405. DOI: 10.1186/s12877-015-0155-4. View

14.

Chaparro C, Zech P, Schuch F, Wolfarth B, Rapp M, HeiBel A . Effects of aerobic and resistance exercise alone or combined on strength and hormone outcomes for people living with HIV. A meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2018; 13(9):e0203384. PMC: 6122835. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0203384. View

15.

Kraemer W, Ratamess N . Fundamentals of resistance training: progression and exercise prescription. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2004; 36(4):674-88. DOI: 10.1249/01.mss.0000121945.36635.61. View

16.

Yousefabadi H, Niyazi A, Alaee S, Fathi M, Mohammad Rahimi G . Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Exercise on Metabolic Syndrome Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Biol Res Nurs. 2020; 23(2):280-292. DOI: 10.1177/1099800420958068. View

17.

Hsieh P, Tseng C, Tseng Y, Yang W . Resistance Training Improves Muscle Function and Cardiometabolic Risks But Not Quality of Life in Older People With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Geriatr Phys Ther. 2016; 41(2):65-76. DOI: 10.1519/JPT.0000000000000107. View

18.

So W, Song M, Park Y, Cho B, Lim J, Kim S . Body composition, fitness level, anabolic hormones, and inflammatory cytokines in the elderly: a randomized controlled trial. Aging Clin Exp Res. 2013; 25(2):167-74. DOI: 10.1007/s40520-013-0032-y. View

19.

Gonzalo-Encabo P, Maldonado G, Valades D, Ferragut C, Perez-Lopez A . The Role of Exercise Training on Low-Grade Systemic Inflammation in Adults with Overweight and Obesity: A Systematic Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021; 18(24). PMC: 8703787. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182413258. View

20.

Liberman K, Forti L, Beyer I, Bautmans I . The effects of exercise on muscle strength, body composition, physical functioning and the inflammatory profile of older adults: a systematic review. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2016; 20(1):30-53. DOI: 10.1097/MCO.0000000000000335. View