IL-6 and CRP response to maximal exercise intervention.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to investigate the recovery pattern of the plasma inflammatory markers interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) after the single-bout maximal exercise. The exercise of different type (continuous vs. intermittent) was performed and also compared in this study. METHODS: Following baseline testing, 30 males were divided into three experimental groups, which completed continuous or intermittent all-out exercise of similar duration or no exercise intervention (Control group). Blood was sampled before and 1 h, 3 h, 5 h after exercise. Serum was analysed for IL-6, CRP, lactate, creatinine, uric acid, cortisol, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase and myoglobin. Diet was standardized during recovery monitoring. RESULTS: Serum IL-6 and CRP concentrations were not significantly changed in the pre- to post-exercise values comparison. These results are evident in both exercise intervention groups as well as in the control group. The only exception is the significant (P=0.03) IL-6 decrease (28.2%) in continuous exercise protocol 3 h after the exercise. Significant changes (P<0.05) were also observed in lactate, cortisol, uric acid and myoglobin, when pre-exercise vs. post-exercise recovery values were compared CONCLUSION: The exercise of all-out intensity and relatively short duration, no matter what type, does not elicit a significant change in the inflammatory markers IL-6 and CRP for the 1h to 5h period of rest following the exercise.