Lifelong exercise practice and immunosenescence: Master athletes cytokine response to acute exercise

Abstract The study aimed to analyze the effects of aging and lifelong training on the main pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, and the impact of acute exercise on the expression of these cytokines. Thirty-nine participants were allocated into 3 groups: young (31.8 ± 3.00 yrs.), middle-aged (54.2 ± 5.9 yrs.) and master athletes (53.1 ± 8.8 yrs.) and performed a maximal incremental test on a cycle ergometer. Blood samples were obtained before (Pre), 10 min post-exercise (Post) and 1 h post-exercise (Post 1 h). Mean VO 2max was similar for master athletes and youngers and higher compared to the middle-aged group. Resting values of the IL-1ra, IL-1β, IL-4, and IL-8 were higher in master athletes compared to the young and middle-aged groups (P