The effect of three month combined training on the serum levels of interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein in sedentary obese women

Combined training play important role in improving body composition, but less is known about its anti-inflammatory mechanism in obesity. Researcher in the present study investigated the effect of three-month combined exercise training on the serum levels of interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein in sedentary obese women.

The 24 obese women age ranging 20-35 years old with average body mass index (BMI) 32.02±1.03 kg/m2 randomly allocated in 2 groups (12 participants in each group) including control and combined training (endurance-resistance) groups. Exercise training program conducted for 12 weeks and three session per week. Endurance training intensity was 60 percent of reserve heart rate and resistance training intensity was 75 percent of 1RM. Blood samples collected before and after 12 weeks training program and IL-6 and CRP levels were measured by Elisa method. Data were analyzed by means of SPSS software version 24 with analysis of covariance test.

Present study findings indicated that serum levels of IL-6 in combined training group significantly decreased compared to control group (P < 0.001). In addition, significant decrease in CRP levels were observed in combined training group compared to control group (P = 0.0188), which decrease in inflammatory mediators was associated with significant decrease in percent body fat in combined training group (P < 0.001).

According to present study, combined training plays an important role in down-regulation of inflammatory mediators and the anti-inflammatory effect may be related to decrease in body fat mass as a main source for secreting the inflammatory mediators including CRP and IL-6.